The Indian government has confirmed that the national cricket team will take part in the Asia Cup 2025, even as the longstanding ban on bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan remains firmly in place. A senior official from the Sports Ministry clarified that while India will continue to avoid bilateral series with Pakistan—neither hosting Pakistani teams nor sending Indian teams to Pakistan—participation in multilateral tournaments like the Asia Cup is permitted.

The Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to begin on September 9 in the UAE, with the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash set for September 14 in Dubai. A second face-off is likely on September 21, depending on tournament progression, and the final is slated for September 29.

The Ministry emphasized that the current policy restricts bilateral engagements only, and not participation in multilateral events conducted under international governance, such as the Asia Cup. These events, held on neutral grounds and governed by global sporting bodies, are seen as platforms that respect the Olympic Charter and India’s diplomatic integrity.

The 2025 edition of the Asia Cup will be played in the T20 International format, serving as preparation for the T20 World Cup scheduled for the following year. The Indian government’s decision reflects its commitment to maintaining a firm diplomatic stance while continuing to fulfill its obligations in international sporting forums.

This policy highlights a balance between political principles and sporting commitments—permitting competitive play in neutral, multilateral settings while avoiding bilateral engagements until further notice.