Following the continuous back-and-forth between India and Pakistan, the cricketing ties between the two neighbours are at an all-time low. Various actions were taken in India to boycott everything related to Pakistan, and, in cricket, there have been large calls for complete shunning of matches between the two nations. With this, the Asia Cup, originally scheduled in September this year, has been posed with a huge question mark. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is yet to take a call on the tournament, whose hosting rights are with India.
Despite all this, India have not pulled itself out of the Asia Cup 2025. Previously, there were reports that the Men in Blue would withdraw as a sign to cut off all ties with Pakistan. However, it was debunked by the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia that no decision has been taken thus far.
Pakistan’s plan for Asia Cup 2025
While the Asia Cup 2025 is still in limbo, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is doing everything to be prepared for the multi-team tournament. According to CricketPakistan, a tri-nation T20I series is being planned between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Talks are happening between the cricket boards of these countries to make this series a reality.
Afghanistan is already set to tour Pakistan in August for a three-match T20I series. Now, there’s a plan to add the UAE to this series, making it a tri-nation event. For those unaware, the UAE are one of the eight teams to qualify for the Asia Cup later this year by winning the 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup.
With Pakistan also refusing to visit India, the series can be entirely shifted to the UAE as well. If it’s moved to the UAE, the tri-series might also be played there. So, the tri-series could serve as a special preparation booster for Pakistan, who haven’t won the Asia Cup since 2012.
Men’s Asia Cup 2025: Teams
- India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong
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