Naqvi Foresees Asia Cup 2025 as a Platform for Unity and Regional Celebration

KARACHI: Mohsin Naqvi, President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), voiced his optimism on Saturday regarding the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup 2025, envisioning it as an event to ‘foster unity’ and honor the ‘diversity’ within the Asian region.

Scheduled to be contested in the T20I format, the Asia Cup will take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28, following a period of uncertainty arising from disagreements between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The Asia Cup 2025 is set to host eight teams, organized into a pair of groups. Group A will consist of Pakistan and India, alongside UAE and Oman. Meanwhile, Group B will include Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

The tournament is slated to commence on September 9, featuring a match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

Following the announcement of the schedule, Naqvi shared his expectations for the tournament in a statement released by the ACC, while also supporting the UAE as the host, highlighting that the nation ‘enables’ enthusiasts from across Asia to gather and reflect the region’s diversity.

Naqvi stated, “Hosting the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE provides a setting for fans from across Asia to unite, mirroring the incredible diversity of our region.”

He further commented, “The gatherings of crowds to witness the tournament’s thrilling encounters will serve as a powerful reminder of cricket’s ability to build connections.”

The ACC President also noted that the inclusion of two additional teams demonstrates the sport’s growing reach, both geographically and in terms of competitiveness.

Naqvi added, “The ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup is the premier event in Asian cricket, and we take pride in offering an expanded platform this year.”

“This year represents another significant step in the ACC’s journey and a remarkable advancement for cricket in Asia. By incorporating more teams into the tournament, we are witnessing the game’s expansion in terms of geography and competition. This will be the Asia Cup at its best.”