Dubai, Aug 30: The start time for 18 out of the 19 matches in the upcoming Asia Cup has been pushed back by half an hour from the original schedule due to the extreme heat in the UAE, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Saturday.
As per the revised timings, the matches will begin at 6.30 PM local time (8 PM IST).The continental tournament, to be held in the T20 format this time, will run from September 9 to 28 across the two venues of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
“The start time for 18 out of the 19 DP World Asia Cup 2025 matches has been updated. These matches will now begin at 6:30pm local time (Gulf Standard Time),” the ECB said in a statement on its website.“The Monday, 15 September match between UAE and Oman will start at 4:00pm local time at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – the only day game of the tournament,” it added in the statement.In the initial schedule announced by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) earlier this month, the matches were scheduled to start at 6 PM local time.
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host the high-voltage India-Pakistan Group A match on September 14.India’s first match of the tournament against the hosts United Arab Emirates is scheduled to take place in Dubai on September 10, and the last group stage fixture against Oman will be played in Abu Dhabi on September 19.India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman are in Group A, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong form Group B.
The rescheduling, though minor, is seen as a necessary step to ensure player welfare and better playing conditions in what is expected to be an intense and high-profile tournament.
With the mercury in the UAE still soaring in September, organisers hope the delayed start will provide some respite from the extreme heat, while also making the matches more convenient for prime-time television audiences across the subcontinent. All eyes will be on the marquee clash between India and Pakistan in Dubai on September 14, which is anticipated to draw massive crowds both at the venue and on broadcast. With eight teams vying for continental supremacy, the Asia Cup promises not only thrilling cricketing contests but also a vital platform for teams to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup next year, making every game in this revised schedule of significant importance. (PTI)
