The 17th edition of the Cricket Asia Cup is scheduled to take place in September 2025 and will be played in T20 format in order to help the teams prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. With eight competing teams, the 2025 Asia Cup is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and eagerly anticipated cricket tournaments. Here on Touchcric, we have provided all the relevant details about this upcoming tournament.
Teams & Qualification
Five permanent participants (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan) automatically qualify. They will be joined by three associate teams who secured their places through the 2024 ACC Premier Cup: UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong.
Tournament Structure
The eight teams will be split into two groups of four:
- Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Hong Kong
- Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Oman
Teams in each group will face each other once, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super Four stage. During the Super Four, each team will play the others once with the top 2 teams qualifying for the final.
Venue
Initially, India was confirmed as the host nation, although diplomatic tensions in the region may alter hosting arrangements. The tournament will span several weeks in September 2025, featuring 19 matches including group stages, Super Four encounters, and the highly anticipated final match.
Broadcasters & Streaming Options
Fans across the globe can follow the Cricket Asia Cup 2025 through various broadcasters and streaming platforms:
- India: Star Sports (TV), Disney+ Hotstar (Streaming)
- Pakistan: Ten Sports, Tapmad (Streaming)
- Bangladesh: Gazi TV, Rabbithole, Toffee (Streaming)
- Sri Lanka: SLRC Channel Eye
- Afghanistan: Ariana TV
- Australia/New Zealand: Yupp TV
- South Africa: SuperSport
- UK: TNT Sport1, TNT Sports App
- USA/Canada: Disney+ Hotstar
- Middle East & North Africa (MENA): STARZPLAY via CricLife MAX
This extensive broadcasting coverage ensures cricket enthusiasts from every region can enjoy the excitement of Asia’s premier cricket competition.
Expected Team Squads and Key Players
Official squad announcements will occur closer to the tournament, but early predictions based on recent T20 performances suggest strong lineups from each participating nation.
India
India, the reigning champions and a formidable T20 side, will likely feature a mix of seasoned players and rising stars:
- Batting: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan
- Bowling: Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal
Pakistan
Though their participation remains uncertain due to diplomatic issues, Pakistan boasts a highly skilled squad:
- Key Batters: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam
- Bowling Stars: Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
- Captain: Salman Ali Agha (T20 Captain)
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka aims to reclaim their dominance with a balanced squad:
- Experienced Players: Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva
- All-Rounders: Charith Asalanka, Thisara Perera
- Bowlers: Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara
Bangladesh
- Batting Strength: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das
- All-rounders & Spinners: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nurul Hasan
- Pacers: Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam
Bangladesh has shown significant improvement in recent years and will aim for a comeback.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan continues its rapid rise in international cricket:
- Star Bowler: Rashid Khan
- Key Bowlers: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq
- Batting: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran
Afghanistan’s strength lies in their aggressive batting and world-class spin bowling attack.
UAE, Oman, Hong Kong
These teams will rely on their experienced players and disciplined approaches to create significant upsets. Participation in the Asia Cup provides these teams a platform to shine and improve their international standings.
Top Players to Watch
Fans and analysts alike will have their eyes on several standout performers:
- Jasprit Bumrah (India): Known for lethal yorkers and unmatched accuracy in death bowling.
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): A world-class spinner who consistently poses challenges for top batters.
- Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan): A fierce left-arm pacer who can swing matches in critical moments.
- Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka): A dynamic middle-order batter, critical in building innings and accelerating scoring.
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh): Quickly establishing himself as Bangladesh’s most reliable batter in the shorter formats.
- Arshdeep Singh (India): A young, promising fast bowler known for his composure under pressure.
These players will not only entertain but potentially define their team’s success in the tournament.
Geo-Political Dynamics & Pakistan’s Participation
One significant discussion ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 is the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s involvement due to ongoing diplomatic tensions with India. Recent developments and media coverage have sparked speculation, but a definitive decision is pending official communication from both cricket boards involved.
Significance of the Asia Cup 2025
- Preparation for T20 World Cup 2026: Scheduled ahead of the World Cup, the Asia Cup will offer crucial match experience and strategic insights.