Asia Cup Set for September Start as ACC Aims to Finalize Schedule Amid Easing Tensions

The Asia Cup tournament may be closer to realization than previously thought. Despite earlier uncertainties fueled by tensions between India and Pakistan, a renewed sense of optimism surrounds the continental championship.

India were champions of the previous edition of the Asia Cup in 2023 © Getty

While details are still pending, a formal decision regarding the Asia Cup is anticipated next week. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is aiming to finalize and release the schedule for the six-team tournament during the first week of July, coinciding with a planned council meeting.

If the current plans hold, the ACC hopes to commence the tournament in the second week of September, potentially on September 10. The T20 format tournament will feature India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the UAE. Promotional activities for the event have reportedly already begun.

The UAE remains the leading candidate to host the Asia Cup, although a hybrid hosting arrangement is also under consideration. While India is the designated host, prior ACC decisions dictate that when either India or Pakistan is scheduled to host, a neutral venue is to be used.

The tournament's future was clouded after the terror attack in Pahalgam in April, exacerbated by India's Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May. Calls for an Indian boycott of Pakistan in multilateral events also intensified, given the existing lack of bilateral cricket engagements. Discussions regarding a potential boycott in global events were even suggested for the next ICC meeting.

Recent developments in international cricket suggest a potential shift in this dynamic. The ICC has released schedules for the Women's ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and the Women's T20 World Cup in England, with India and Pakistan slated to compete against each other in both. They are scheduled to meet on October 5 in Colombo and on June 14 at Edgbaston.

Despite the silence from officials within the BCCI, ACC, and ICC, these developments suggest that cricket ties between the two rivals may continue, at least in global tournaments. These matches are significant revenue generators for global cricket. While the BCCI and India may not heavily rely on the revenue generated, governing bodies like the ICC, the ACC, and their member boards certainly do.