The Asia Cup 2025 will see a revised schedule, with almost all fixtures delayed by 30 minutes to tackle the sweltering September heat in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the changes on August 30, citing extreme weather conditions.
Under the new timings, 18 of the 19 matches will begin at 6:30 PM local time (8:00 PM IST). The only exception will be the sole day match, when hosts UAE face Oman on September 15 in Abu Dhabi, starting at 4:00 PM local (5:30 PM IST).
The tournament, to be played in the T20 format, will run from September 9 to 28 across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Originally, evening fixtures were set to begin at 7:30 PM IST, but the revised timings provide an additional buffer against the Gulf’s high temperatures.
Key Fixtures
- India’s opener: vs UAE on September 10 in Dubai.
- India vs Pakistan: September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, a crucial Group A clash.
- India vs Oman: September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
Group A includes India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
The tournament will culminate with the final on September 28 in Dubai, with September 29 designated as a reserve day.
Full Schedule Highlights
- Sept 9 – Afghanistan vs Hong Kong (Abu Dhabi)
- Sept 10 – India vs UAE (Dubai)
- Sept 12 – Pakistan vs Oman (Dubai)
- Sept 14 – India vs Pakistan (Dubai)
- Sept 15 – UAE vs Oman (Abu Dhabi, day game)
- Sept 19 – India vs Oman (Abu Dhabi)
- Sept 28 – Final (Dubai)
The adjustment is viewed as a practical move to protect players and spectators, ensuring the smooth conduct of one of Asia’s premier cricket tournaments despite the Gulf’s challenging climate.
