DUBAI, UAE — The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced a significant change to the match timings for the upcoming DP World Asia Cup 2025, which is set to be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28. In a move aimed at prioritizing player and fan welfare while also maximizing viewership, the start times for most of the matches have been pushed back by 30 minutes.
According to the new schedule, 18 of the 19 matches in the tournament will now begin at 6:30 PM Gulf Standard Time (GST), which translates to 8:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). The decision was made in coordination with broadcasters and venue partners to avoid the extreme heat prevalent in the region during the day and early evening hours. The change also aims to maximize viewership in key cricketing nations in South Asia by aligning with primetime television slots.
The only exception to this revised schedule is the clash between the UAE and Oman on Monday, September 15. This match, to be played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, will be the tournament’s sole day game, starting at 4:00 PM GST (5:30 PM IST). All other games will be played under lights.
The Asia Cup 2025 will feature eight teams divided into two groups of four. The tournament will not only serve as a battle for regional supremacy but also as a crucial preparatory platform for the teams ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Tournament Format and Groups:
- Group A: India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman
- Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong
Each team will play the other teams in their group once. The top two teams from each group will then advance to the Super 4 stage. In this stage, the four qualifying teams will play each other once. The top two teams from the Super 4 will then compete in the final, scheduled for Sunday, September 28, in Dubai. A reserve day has been set for the final on Monday, September 29, in case of any weather interruptions.
Revised Match Schedule (All Times in IST):
Group Stage:
- September 9: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi – 8:00 PM
- September 10: India vs United Arab Emirates, Dubai – 8:00 PM
- September 11: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi – 8:00 PM
- September 12: Pakistan vs Oman, Dubai – 8:00 PM
- September 13: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi – 8:00 PM
- September 14: India vs Pakistan, Dubai – 8:00 PM
- September 15: UAE vs Oman, Abu Dhabi – 5:30 PM
- September 15: Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong, Dubai – 8:00 PM
- September 16: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi – 8:00 PM
- September 17: Pakistan vs UAE, Dubai – 8:00 PM
- September 18: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi – 8:00 PM
- September 19: India vs Oman, Abu Dhabi – 8:00 PM
Super 4 Stage:
- September 20: B1 vs B2, Dubai – 8:00 PM
- September 21: A1 vs A2, Dubai – 8:00 PM
- September 22: Rest Day
- September 23: A2 vs B1, Abu Dhabi – 8:00 PM
- September 24: A1 vs B2, Dubai – 8:00 PM
- September 25: A2 vs B2, Dubai – 8:00 PM
- September 26: A1 vs B1, Dubai – 8:00 PM
- September 27: Rest Day
Final:
- September 28: Final, Dubai – 8:00 PM
- September 29: Reserve Day