The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a major change in match timings for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Eighteen of the 19 matches, including the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash and the final, will now start at 6:30 PM local time (8 PM IST), which is 30 minutes later than originally scheduled. The adjustment was made to avoid the intense heat in the Gulf region during September.

The only exception is the day fixture between UAE and Oman on September 15 at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, which will begin at 4:00 PM local time (5:30 PM IST).

The Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to run from September 9 to 28 across two venues in the UAE. Dubai will host 11 matches, including the final on September 28, while Abu Dhabi will stage eight games. The tournament opens on September 9 in Abu Dhabi with a clash between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

India, the defending champions, are in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. They will face UAE on September 10 in Dubai, take on arch-rivals Pakistan in a high-voltage encounter on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, and play Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi. Group B features Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Fours stage, followed by the final on September 28 in Dubai, with a reserve day scheduled for September 29. This year’s Asia Cup will be played in the T20I format to help teams prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Asia Cup 2025 – Updated Key Fixtures:

• Sept 9: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi – 6:30 PM (8 PM IST)
• Sept 10: India vs UAE, Dubai – 6:30 PM (8 PM IST)
• Sept 14: India vs Pakistan, Dubai – 6:30 PM (8 PM IST)
• Sept 19: India vs Oman, Abu Dhabi – 6:30 PM (8 PM IST)
• Sept 28: Final, Dubai – 6:30 PM (8 PM IST), Reserve Day – Sept 29