By Zainab Shafiq 
The race for continental glory officially began on Tuesday in Dubai as the Asia Cup 2025 trophy was revealed in a glittering ceremony. The much-anticipated event brought together captains of all eight teams, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE, Hong Kong, and Oman, who stood united in posing with the silverware that every nation is chasing. The Asia Cup 2025 trophy stood as the centrepiece of the evening, sparking excitement for the action-packed weeks ahead.
Groups and Early Blockbuster Fixtures
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) confirmed that the 15th edition of the men’s tournament will be staged in the T20I format, split into two competitive groups. Hosts UAE are part of Group A alongside India, Pakistan, and Oman. The group stage will light up instantly as India begin their campaign against UAE on September 10 in Dubai before meeting Pakistan in what promises to be a tournament-defining clash on September 14. Oman will be their final group-stage opponents on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
Group B carries equal intrigue with Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong locking horns. Only the top two from each group will progress to the Super Four stage, which sets up the route to the September 28 final.
Asia Cup 2025 Trophy Ceremony Marks Tournament Countdown
During the ceremony, Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi met with every captain, exchanging pleasantries before the media rounds began.
Skippers from all nations spoke with confidence, pledging to bring their best game forward. For Pakistan, the narrative centres around homegrown talent and depth; India are eyeing another clash with their arch-rivals; Sri Lanka and Bangladesh arrive with strong squads aiming to upset favourites; while Afghanistan, Oman, UAE, and Hong Kong will aim to leave a mark as spirited challengers.
The complete schedule begins with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong on September 9 in Dubai and runs through to the much-anticipated final at the same venue on September 28. With the trophy now unveiled, the countdown to one of cricket’s biggest continental rivalries has truly begun.
Also, see:
ACC Reveals Asia Cup 2025 Updated Timings