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Asia Cup 2025 poster sparks rumours of Pakistan's absence as Pakistani media announces dates, hosts for tournament
A news portal from Pakistan has announced the likely dates and venue for the Asia Cup 2025, amid speculation sparked by a viral poster suggesting the tournament may be held without the Pakistan cricket team. read more
Asia Cup 2025 poster sparks rumours that Pakistan cricket team will not play in the tournament. Image: Sony Sports
Will the Asia Cup 2025 be played without the Pakistan cricket team? A recent poster of the tournament teased by the official broadcasters has sparked speculation. Since the Pahalgam terror attack in April and the subsequent retaliation by India through Operation Sindoor, reports have suggested that the Asia Cup 2025 may get cancelled.
One report also claimed that India might withdraw from the tournament , as it does not want to participate in an event featuring Pakistan, especially one organised by a governing body currently led by a Pakistani official. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which oversees cricketing affairs in Asia, is presently headed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
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Asia Cup poster sparks speculation
Nonetheless, the recent poster teased by Sony Sports has raised the hopes that the Asia Cup 2025, which will be held in the T20I format, will be played as planned in September, but without the Pakistan team.
As per the original plan, the five full members of the ACC, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will be joined by Hong Kong, Oman and the United Arab Emirates in the Asia Cup 2025.
The poster shared by Sony Sports featured captains of prominent teams, but Pakistan's T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha, was notably missing. It included images of India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, Sri Lanka's Charith Asalanka, and Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Fans were quick to spot the lack of Pakistan presentation in the poster, as they started speculating that the Asia Cup 2025 will be held without the Men in Green.
No Pakistan in Asia cup promo shoot 🤣 pic.twitter.com/bpPYN4g7pm — AP (@AksP009) June 24, 2025
Sony Sports Poster for Asia Cup 2025! [official broadcaster] pic.twitter.com/KzOSu6K4lQ — Waheed Malik (@WaheedMalik93) June 24, 2025
It also has to be recalled that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia in April had dismissed reports that India had withdrawn from the Asia Cup.
Meanwhile, a Pakistani news portal, Pakistan Observer, has reported that the Asia Cup 2025 will likely be hosted from 12 to 28 September in the UAE.
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