Here’s an expanded, polished, and data-rich version of the article, perfect for news sites, cricket blogs, or a fan guide to the Asia Cup 2025:
🏏 Asia Cup 2025 Full Schedule & Highlights — Group Stages, Super 4s & India vs Pakistan Showdowns
Asia’s most prestigious T20 cricket tournament returns bigger than ever in 2025 — with eight teams, 19 action-packed matches, and a dramatic rivalry that could unfold up to three times between India and Pakistan. Hosted in the United Arab Emirates, the tournament runs from September 9 to 28, 2025 (Hindustan Times, Wikipedia).
📍 Host & Format Overview
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Host Venue: United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) remains the official host (mint).
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Tournament Format:
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8 teams divided into 2 Groups of 4
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Group stage round-robin matches
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Top two teams from each group advance to the Super Four stage
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Top two from Super Four play the Final on September 28 (asiacup2025.net)
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Teams:
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Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman
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Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong (Wikipedia, asiacup2025.net)
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📅 Complete Match Schedule
⏱ Starting Times: All matches kick off at 7:30 PM Gulf Standard Time (GST)
Group Stage (September 9–19)
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Sep 9 — Afghanistan vs Hong Kong
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Sep 10 — India vs UAE
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Sep 11 — Bangladesh vs Hong Kong
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Sep 12 — Pakistan vs Oman
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Sep 13 — Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
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Sep 14 — India vs Pakistan (Dubai International Stadium)
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Sep 15 — UAE vs Oman; Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong
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Sep 16 — Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
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Sep 17 — Pakistan vs UAE; Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
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Sep 19 — India vs Oman (India Today, The Economic Times, NDTV Sports, mint)
Super Four Stage (September 20–27)
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Sep 20 — Match 1: A1 vs B1
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Sep 21 — Match 2: A2 vs B2
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Sep 23–27 — Remaining matchups among the four qualifiers in round robin structure: 6 total Super Four games (asiacup2025.net)
Final
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Sep 28 — Final showdown between the two top Super Four teams at a UAE venue (likely Dubai) (asiacup2025.net, mint)
🔥 Rivals Collide: India vs Pakistan Schedule
One of the most anticipated rivalries in cricket, India vs Pakistan, is scheduled as follows:
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Group Stage Match: September 14 in Dubai
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Super Four Rematch: September 21 (if both teams qualify)
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Possible Final: September 28 (if both finish top two in Super Four)—a potential third showdown in under three weeks (Hindustan Times)
This rare format means the arch-rivals may play three blockbuster matches in the same tournament — a first in Asia Cup history.
🔢 Summary Table: Key Dates & Fixtures
| Stage | Dates | Match Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | Sep 9 – 19 | India vs Pakistan on Sep 14 |
| Super Four | Sep 20 – 27 | Potential rematch on Sep 21 |
| Final | Sep 28 | India vs Pakistan final possibility |
🎯 Why This Edition Matters
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Expanded Format: First Asia Cup with eight competing countries (up from six previously) (Wikipedia, India Today, Wikipedia).
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Neutral Venue Strategy: Hosted in UAE — agreed upon due to diplomatic concerns between India and Pakistan through 2027.
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High Stakes Build-Up: A month-long T20 storm bridging into the 2026 T20 World Cup, boosting fan excitement and competitive intensity.
🔁 Final Thoughts
Asia Cup 2025 is shaping up to be a thrilling chapter in cricket history — with more matches, bigger rivalries, and expanded representation. Keep your calendars ready for the India-Pakistan rivalry, potential hat-trick clashes, and weeks of high-octane T20 drama from September 9 to 28.
