India-Pakistan May Share Group as BCCI Backs Neutral Asia Cup Venue: Sources

Asia Cup 2025 Set for Neutral Venue, India-Pakistan Likely in Same Group.

The Asia Cup 2025 is back on track after weeks of uncertainty, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) agreeing to host the tournament at a neutral venue. According to sources, India and Pakistan are likely to be drawn into the same group, setting the stage for a high-voltage clash early in the tournament.

The decision was firmed up during the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) Annual General Meeting held on Thursday in Dhaka, which BCCI officials attended virtually. The tournament had been in limbo following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that had raised serious security concerns.

With hosting rights in hand, the BCCI has proposed the UAE—specifically Dubai and Abu Dhabi—as the neutral location for the eight-nation T20 tournament. An agreement has already been reached with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for the use of three venues, although only two are likely to be used.

Sources had earlier indicated that India was unwilling to host or travel for the Asia Cup in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, prompting the search for a neutral venue.

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla and ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi are expected to meet soon to finalise the match schedule and venue allocation.

A tentative window from September 7 to the third or fourth week of the month has been proposed for the tournament, which will act as a preparatory event for the T20 World Cup, set to be held in February next year.

Shukla and Naqvi will also engage with sponsors at the earliest opportunity, aiming to allow sufficient time for commercial planning.

A large chunk of the tournament’s financial backing comes from Indian sponsors and broadcasters. Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) acquired the media rights to Asia Cup events in 2024 for a reported USD 170 million over eight years. The Asia Cup was given a 19-day window in September this year, where at least two Indo-Pak matches were to take place, apart from the possibility of a final clash between the rivals, which would have assured the broadcasters of high advertising revenue.

Last week, the BCCI had informed the ACC that it would not attend the meeting if it was held in Dhaka, citing the ongoing bilateral strain between India and Bangladesh. However, on Wednesday, the ACC was notified that Rajeev Shukla would participate in the meeting virtually.

Notably, a bilateral series between India and Bangladesh, scheduled for August 2025, was postponed indefinitely due to the strain in relations.