India likely to play Pakistan in Asia Cup 2026 despite Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor

Overview

• India is scheduled to face Pakistan in at least one match in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025
• Despite the recent tensions in the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, India might continue to play Pakistan
• India was reported to cut off ties with Pakistan following the Operarion Sindoor earlier this year

India is likely to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, which will take place in September, just a few months before the T20 World Cup 2026 and will act as a preparatory tournament for the same. As per the reports, India might face Pakistan at least once in the tournament, on September 7, and potentially more than once, despite the tensions between the two nations.

Sony Sports Network, the official broadcasters of the event in India, started to promote the tournament, which features the captains of each team. The poster for the team included Suryakumar Yadav, Charith Asalanka, and Najmul Hossain, the skippers of India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh respectively.

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Likewise, the potential schedule for the tournament has been released. India and Pakistan could face each other on September 7 and 14 in Group stage and Super 4, respectively. The tournament will feature 6 teams: India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the UAE.

BCCI Secretary dismisses reports claiming India pulling out of Asia Cup 2025

India is the host of the tournament despite matches taking place in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. 4 of the top 6 teams from Group Stage will progress to Super 4 and the top 2 teams will play the final. While there were reports that claimed India to pull out of the Asia Cup following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, the BCCI Secretary told otherwise.

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"News items concerning BCCI’s decision not to participate in the Asia Cup and Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, are devoid of any truth as till now, the BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the ensuing Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events, let alone writing anything to the ACC," said Devajit Saikia.