KARACHI: Pakistan will clash with arch-rivals India in Dubai on Sept 14 during the T20 Asia Cup as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced the venues for the event on Saturday.

ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, announced the venues for the Asia Cup scheduled to run from Sept 9 to 28 in the United Arab Emirates.

According to the ACC chief, the continental event will be played at two venues — Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai and the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The Zayed Cricket Stadium will host eight Asia Cup matches, including one Super Fours clash on Sept 23.

The majority of the tournament’s matches, however, will be played in Dubai, including the blockbuster Pakistan-India game and the final on Sept 28.

The upcoming edition of the continental tournament will be played in T20 format, serving as a preparatory event for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February.

Eight teams, divided into two groups, will vie for the prestigious title. Fierce rivals Pakistan and India are placed in Group ‘A’ alongside UAE and Oman, while Group ‘B’ features Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.

The event starts with a match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan, on the other hand, will start their campaign against Oman on Sept 12. The green-shirts’ remaining group-stage match is scheduled on Sept 17 against hosts UAE.

Upon completion of the group stage, the top two teams from each pool will qualify for the Super Four, meaning Pakistan and India may face each other once again in the event on Sept 21.

The top two teams in the standings after the conclusion of the Super Four stage will qualify for the final, scheduled to be played on Sept 28.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2025