India Set to Host Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 & Bangladesh to Stage the ODI Asia Cup 2027
It is confirmed that India will be hosting the upcoming edition of the Men’s Asia Cup tournament in T20 format in 2025 as a preparatory event for the T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled in the nation. Furthermore, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) confirmed that Bangladesh would host the 2027 edition of the tournament in an ODI format. Interestingly, the 50-over World Cup would be played in South Africa in the same year.
Earlier, the 2023 Asia Cup tournament was hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka in a 50-over format with India emerging as the champions under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. Mainly, the tournament organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was shifted to a Hybrid model and India’s matches were scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka. This was due to the refusal of the Indian government to allow its players to travel to Pakistan considering the security issues.
After a gap of 34 years, India is once again set to host the Asia Cup tournament in its 17th edition. Whereas, Bangladesh will be hosting the 18th edition of the grand competition for the sixth time following these years:
- 1988: 3rd edition (ODI format)
- 2000: 7th edition (ODI format)
- 2012: 11th edition (ODI format)
- 2014: 12th edition (ODI format)
- 2016: 13th edition (T20I format)
Moreover, the ACC’s IEOI (Invitation for Expression of Interest) clarified that the six teams will be participating in the Men’s Asia Cup tournament.
Interestingly, India as the defending champions ranks as the most successful national cricket team in the history of Asia Cup tournaments by winning eight of sixteen editions.
ACC’s Open Call for Asia Cup Venues
Earlier, the ACC published an Invitation for Expressions of Interest (IEOI) document, requesting for the participating organizations to fill out their IEOI for ACC Sponsorship Rights for the 2024–2027 cycle. The document consists of information about the possible venues for the Asia Cup tournament.
The tender document stated that the Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup tournament will host 15 matches each in the editions of 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027. As a result, the Under-19 Asia Cup takes place in the T20 format in 2024 and 2026, while the 50-over format is organized in 2025 and 2027 with 30 matches to be played in a single edition of the tournament.
Also, the tender document stated that the upcoming editions of the Senior Men’s Asia Cup will feature 13 games with a group stage, Super fours, and Final.
Total Number of Matches in the T20 and ODI edition of Asia Cup
A total of 26 matches will be played in the 2025 and 2027 edition of the Asia Cup, which includes 13 games each hosted by India in the 20-over version and Bangladesh in the 50-over format.
When was the last time India hosted the Men’s Asia Cup tournament?
India hosted the 4th edition of the Men’s Asia Cup for the last time, held between 25th December 1990 and 4th January 1991. They emerged as the champions by defeating Sri Lanka in the finals by 7 wickets at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Teams Participating in T20 Asia Cup 2025 and ODI Asia Cup 2027
Out of 6 teams, there are 5 test playing nations confirmed to participate in the Asia Cup (2025 and 2027) and one non-test-playing ACC member that will be selected during the qualifying events:
- INDIA
- BANGLADESH
- PAKISTAN
- SRI LANKA
- AFGHANISTAN
- NON-TEST PLAYING NATION (To be selected based on the qualifier round results)
Asia Cup Next Editions Sponsorship Rights
The ACC’s tender document states that interested companies should have a net worth above $10 million and an annual turnover of over $15 million and above. Also, the last date to submit the EOIs for these sponsorship rights is 2nd August 2024 by 5 pm (based on Dubai Timings).
The next Two Editions of the Asia Cup Tournament are to be played in Different Formats
It was in the 2016 edition that the Asia Cup was played in the 20-over format for the first time. Also, the 2020 edition of the Asia Cup got postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the tournament taking place in two consecutive years with different formats — the T20 edition in 2022 and the ODI edition in 2023.
Rohit Sharma’s Participation in Asia Cup 2027
It is understood that the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won’t play in the next edition of the Asia Cup in 2025 since he has announced his retirement from the 20-overs after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy. However, the Hitman continues to play the 50-over version of cricket. By the time Rohit participates in the ODI Asia Cup 2027, he will reach the age of 40 or 41 years and his participation could be guaranteed only if he continues to maintain his fitness levels in the forthcoming years of his career.
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Conclusion:
According to the ICC (International Cricket Council) Future Tour Programs (FTP) 2023–27, India has a busy schedule in the next year. It includes the limited overs series against England in January–February 2025, followed by the ICC Champions Trophy in February, then IPL in March to May. Additionally, England’s tour includes from June to August before traveling to Bangladesh for the white ball series.
Possibly, the next edition of the Asia Cup is expected to be played after the completion of the Bangladesh series and before the commencement of the red ball series that features two test matches against the West Indies in October 2025. However, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has to give an official confirmation about the preferred venues.
