Putting an end to all speculation, the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) was finally held in Dhaka. However, ACC president Mohsin Naqvi did not provide any clear information regarding the Asia Cup. He expressed hope that all matters would be resolved soon. Naqvi mentioned that some decisions regarding the Asia Cup are still pending and that a final decision will be made after discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Meanwhile, Indian media has reported that the tournament’s schedule will soon be announced by the host board, the BCCI. According to sources quoted by The Times of India, the BCCI is expected to release the schedule within the next few days.
Indian media further reports that India and Pakistan are highly likely to be placed in the same group in this year’s Asia Cup. A source from the ACC told India’s news agency PTI that the Asia Cup will be hosted by India in the United Arab Emirates, with India playing all its matches in Dubai. However, the schedule is still under discussion.
The Times of India, News18, and India Today—citing various sources—have all reported that India and Pakistan are set to be placed in the same group as usual. This raises the possibility of at least two, and potentially three, high-stakes India-Pakistan matches in this year’s Asia Cup. After the group stage, the two teams could face each other in the Super Six round, and if both reach the final, a third encounter would occur—something that would significantly boost broadcaster revenues.
Following rising tensions between the neighboring nations earlier this April-May, this will be the first on-field clash between the two teams since then. A BCCI source told The Times of India that the board is maintaining communication with the Indian government to secure approval for hosting India-Pakistan matches.
