By Zainab Shafiq 
Cricket fans planning to follow the Asia Cup this year will need to adjust their schedules. Organizers have confirmed Asia Cup 2025 updated timings, shifting almost every game to a later slot. The move comes after broadcasters and cricket boards agreed that extreme Gulf heat in September would make afternoon starts unsafe for players.
Why the Schedule Has Changed?
Instead of the originally planned 6:00 PM local starts, 18 out of the 19 matches, including the final, will now begin at 6:30 PM Gulf Standard Time (8:00 PM IST). Temperatures during early evenings are expected to hover around the 40-degree mark, prompting the half-hour delay. Officials from the Asian Cricket Council, together with broadcasters, finalized the adjustment to ensure player welfare and maintain high-quality cricket under friendlier conditions.
The only exception to this shift is the UAE vs Oman clash on September 15 in Abu Dhabi. As the tournament’s lone day match, it will retain its original schedule, beginning in the afternoon at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Tournament Opener and Final
The much-anticipated tournament gets underway on September 9 in Abu Dhabi, where Afghanistan face Hong Kong in the opener. From there, the competition will unfold across multiple venues in the UAE, featuring top Asian cricketing nations. Fans can expect competitive fixtures every evening, culminating in the grand finale, which also follows the new adjusted timings.
This timing revision is not just about avoiding the blistering heat but also about improving the overall experience for players, broadcasters, and fans watching worldwide. Evening matches are likely to draw higher television audiences, creating a win-win situation for cricket boards and broadcasters alike.