Asia Cup 2025 in UAE: Full schedule, match timings, and Sri Lanka’s fixtures

By Moiz Mustafa



The wait is over. The Asia Cup 2025 kicks off today (September 9) in the UAE, with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi to set the stage for three weeks of high-octane cricket. The tournament will run until September 28, with eight teams vying for continental supremacy in the T20 format—a crucial warm-up ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next year in India and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka eyeing another continental crown

Six-time champions Sri Lanka are no strangers to the Asia Cup spotlight. Having lifted the trophy in both ODI and T20 formats, the Lions enter this year’s competition with hopes of reasserting their dominance.

The team begins its campaign against Bangladesh on September 13 in Abu Dhabi (8:00 PM IST). Fixtures against Hong Kong and Afghanistan follow in quick succession, giving skipper and selectors a chance to test combinations before the Super Fours. With the World Cup looming, every game will be seen as part of a bigger rehearsal.

Tournament structure

The eight competing sides are split into two groups:

• Group A: India, Oman, Pakistan, UAE

• Group B: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka

The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Fours stage. From there, the best two advance to the final on September 28 in Dubai.

Venues

• Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

• Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Dubai will host 11 matches, including the final, while Abu Dhabi stages the remaining eight.

Match timings

• Evening matches: 8:00 PM IST (6:30 PM UAE)

• Day match: 5:30 PM IST (4:00 PM UAE, Sept 15 – UAE vs Oman in Abu Dhabi)

Sri Lanka’s group stage fixtures (IST)

• September 13 (Sat): Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh – Abu Dhabi, 8:00 PM

• September 15 (Mon): Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong – Dubai, 8:00 PM

• September 18 (Thu): Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan – Abu Dhabi, 8:00 PM

If Sri Lanka qualify, they will feature in the Super Fours beginning September 20, with the grand finale set for September 28 in Dubai (8:00 PM IST).

Spotlight clash: India vs Pakistan

While Sri Lankans will be focused on their own team’s progress, the wider tournament buzz surrounds the India–Pakistan fixture on September 14 in Dubai (8:00 PM IST). Depending on results, cricket’s fiercest rivals could meet up to three times, including a potential final showdown.

What’s at stake for Sri Lanka

For the Lions, the Asia Cup is not just about regional bragging rights. It is a chance to:

• Fine-tune strategies in the T20 format.

• Test bench strength ahead of the World Cup.

• Build confidence by competing against Asia’s best.

Fans back home will be hoping the team channels its rich Asia Cup pedigree to script another memorable run—this time in the desert heat of the UAE.