The Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 kicks off on September 9 in the UAE, promising three weeks of high-octane cricket. Defending champions India enter with momentum, but Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh all have reasons to dream. Add the spice of UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong joining the fray, and the 17th edition of this tournament feels more open than ever.
In this detailed guide, you’ll find the Asia Cup 2025 schedule, India vs Pakistan clash details, full team lists, format, records, and players to watch.
Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 Schedule and Format
The Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 schedule runs from September 9 to September 28, with matches in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Evening games start at 6:30 pm UAE time, while a double-header will feature matches at 4 pm and 6:30 pm.
Tournament Format
- Group Stage: Eight teams split into two groups of four.
- Super Four: The top two from each group play each other.
- Final: The best two from the Super Four face off in Dubai on September 28.
Groups for Asia Cup 2025:
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| India | Afghanistan |
| Pakistan | Bangladesh |
| Oman | Sri Lanka |
| UAE | Hong Kong |
This format guarantees competitive games and sets the stage for possible India vs Pakistan rematches in later rounds.
India vs Pakistan in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025
No fixture captures the imagination like India vs Pakistan in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025.
- Group match: September 14, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
- Super Four possibility: If both teams advance, another showdown awaits.
- Potential final: India and Pakistan have never met in an Asia Cup final — this could be the year.
FAQ tie-in: When is the India vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2025? → September 14, with possible repeats later.
Teams in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025: Full Line-Up
For the first time, eight teams will compete:
- Full members: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan
- Associates: UAE, Oman, Hong Kong
Nepal, despite strong progress, missed qualification after defeats to UAE and Hong Kong in the 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup.
Key Players to Watch in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025
Every edition produces breakout stars. In Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, these names stand out:
India
- Abhishek Sharma: Two T20I centuries at a strike rate of 193. His first major ICC-style tournament as India’s opener.
- Jasprit Bumrah: Death-overs master, always decisive in crunch games.
- Hardik Pandya: Provides balance with bat and ball.
Pakistan
- Salman Mirza: Left-arm quick who debuted with impact after PSL success.
- New top order: Pakistan are without Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, so fresh faces will decide their fortunes.
Afghanistan
- AM Ghazanfar: A 19-year-old mystery spinner with two five-fors in ODIs already.
- Rashid Khan: Still the team’s heartbeat in T20 cricket.
Bangladesh
- Shakib Al Hasan: The veteran all-rounder remains vital.
- Litton Das: In form after their series win against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka
- Wanindu Hasaranga: One of T20 cricket’s top spinners.
- Kusal Mendis: Brings stability to the top order.
Associates (UAE, Oman, Hong Kong)
- Muhammad Waseem (UAE): A fearless opener with a strike rate above 155.
- Bilal Khan (Oman): Their experienced left-arm seamer.
- Yasim Murtaza (Hong Kong): New captain, also a handy bowling all-rounder.
India in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025: Defending Champions
India arrive with confidence as defending champions and winners of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Their biggest question? Balancing the batting lineup. Does Abhishek Sharma open with Rohit Sharma, or slot in lower to add firepower? With Bumrah and Pandya anchoring bowling and all-round duties, India look like the team to beat.
Pakistan in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025: A New-Look Side
Pakistan’s selection calls raised eyebrows. With Babar Azam and Rizwan left out, the batting looks less predictable but more aggressive. The bowling remains strong — Shaheen Afridi and Salman Mirza could form a deadly pace attack. Their campaign hinges on whether the new top order delivers under Asia Cup pressure.
Afghanistan in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025: Chasing First Title
After reaching the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals, Afghanistan believe they can finally capture a major trophy. The Rashid Khan–AM Ghazanfar spin duo may be the most dangerous weapon in the tournament. Add power hitters like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Afghanistan could be the dark horses of Asia Cup 2025.
Bangladesh in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025: Building Momentum
Bangladesh showed grit by beating Sri Lanka in a recent T20I series. With Shakib leading and Litton Das anchoring, they are no pushovers. The challenge will be consistency: Bangladesh often struggle in multi-nation tournaments.
Sri Lanka in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025: Road Back for Past Champions
Sri Lanka won the last T20 Asia Cup in 2022, but their form dipped in the 2024 World Cup. With Hasaranga and Mendis, they still carry pedigree. A good run in UAE could rebuild their confidence before the 2026 T20 World Cup.
UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025
The associate teams are no strangers to surprises:
- UAE: Led by Muhammad Waseem, their batting is fearless.
- Oman: Solid and disciplined, with Bilal Khan spearheading.
- Hong Kong: Captained by Yasim Murtaza, they earned qualification in dramatic fashion.
In T20 cricket, even smaller teams can cause upsets, making Group A and B more unpredictable.
Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 History and Records
The Asia Cup is one of cricket’s oldest continental tournaments, starting in 1984. Since 2008, it’s been held every two years, alternating formats depending on the next World Cup.
Most Titles
- India: 8
- Sri Lanka: 6
- Pakistan: 2
Notable Upsets
- Afghanistan beating Sri Lanka in 2014
- Hong Kong nearly chasing 286 vs India in 2018
These results prove that the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 could also throw up surprises.
Rivalries and Expectations in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025
Beyond India vs Pakistan, rivalries add drama:
- Afghanistan vs Pakistan: Always fiery contests.
- Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Long history of tight games.
T20 format = unpredictability. Underdogs like Hong Kong or UAE could push bigger teams, and Afghanistan’s rise means the traditional “Big Two” dominance is no longer guaranteed.
FAQs on Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025
Q. When is the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025?
A. From September 9 to September 28, 2025, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Q. When is the India vs Pakistan match in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025?
A. September 14, 2025, in Dubai.
Q. How many teams are playing in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025?
A. Eight: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong.
Q. Who are the key players in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025?
A. Abhishek Sharma (India), Salman Mirza (Pakistan), AM Ghazanfar (Afghanistan), Muhammad Waseem (UAE), Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka).
Q. Who has won the most Asia Cups?
A. India, with 8 titles.
Final Thoughts on Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025
The Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 isn’t just a dress rehearsal for the 2026 T20 World Cup — it’s a tournament where history, rivalries, and underdog stories collide. With India vs Pakistan on the horizon, Afghanistan chasing their first crown, and associate nations looking to punch above their weight, cricket fans can expect drama and surprises in equal measure.
Stay tuned — this September, Asia’s cricketing heartbeat will echo loudest in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
