New Delhi, Feb 27: Asia Cup, which will serve as a preparatory event for the 2026 T20 World Cup, is likely to be held in September this year at a neutral venue though the hosting rights are with India.
The last Asia Cup was held in the ODI format ahead of the 2023 50-over World Cup in India.“The tournament will be held in September. India has the hosting rights but it will be played in UAE or Sri Lanka,” said a source in the Asian Cricket Council.
The highlight of the event will be the India-Pakistan contest and if they reach the final, both teams could play each other as many as three times.India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman and Hong Kong will be the eight participating teams.Though BCCI has the hosting rights, it could go for a neutral venue with Pakistan unlikely to travel to India given what transpired in the ongoing Champions Trophy.
India are playing all their Champions Trophy games in Dubai thought the hosts are Pakistan, where Rohit Sharma’s team has not travelled due to security concerns.
The next T20 World Cup is in India and Sri Lanka with the arch-rivals expected to play the marquee game in the island nation.India are the most successful team in the continental event, capturing as many as eight titles across the two white-ball formats.
The Asia Cup has always been a marquee tournament in the cricketing calendar, offering fans a chance to witness high-octane rivalries and top-notch cricket from the best teams in the continent. With the T20 World Cup looming in 2026, the upcoming edition holds added significance as teams will look to fine-tune their combinations and test their mettle ahead of the global event.
The prospect of multiple India-Pakistan encounters will undoubtedly add to the tournament’s excitement, reigniting one of the fiercest rivalries in the sport.
While the tournament’s neutral venue reflects the ongoing political tensions between the two neighbouring nations, it also ensures the best possible platform for competitive cricket.
As India eyes a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title, the event is set to not only provide thrilling action but also serve as a vital preparation ground for teams on the road to the T20 World Cup. The decision to hold the Asia Cup at a neutral venue underlines the ever-evolving dynamics of cricket in the region, where off-field matters often influence on-field events. (PTI)
