Despite heightened tensions following the tragic Pahalgam attack in Kashmir, a potential India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 remains likely. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is reportedly moving forward with plans to hold the tournament in September, with a schedule announcement expected in early July.

The Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which resulted in the deaths of numerous tourists, has significantly strained relations between India and Pakistan. India responded with "Operation Sindoor," targeting alleged terrorist camps in Pakistan. This escalation led to calls for boycotts of Pakistani artists and actors in India, and raised questions about the possibility of India withdrawing from the Asia Cup.

In May 2025, reports surfaced that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was considering pulling out of the Asia Cup, particularly if the tournament remained under the leadership of a Pakistani official within the ACC. However, the BCCI refuted these reports, stating that the matter had not been formally discussed.

The ACC is headed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi. Given the strained relationship between the two countries, there have been discussions about hosting the Asia Cup 2025 at a neutral venue, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) being the frontrunner. A hybrid model, similar to the 2023 Asia Cup where India played its matches in Sri Lanka while Pakistan remained the official host, is also being considered.

The Asia Cup 2025 is planned as a six-team tournament in the T20 format. Participating teams are expected to include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE. The tournament is tentatively scheduled to begin around September 10th, 2025.

Despite the tensions, there are indications that cricketing ties between India and Pakistan will continue, at least in global tournaments. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has already released the schedules for the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 (to be held in India and Sri Lanka) and the Women's T20 World Cup, with India and Pakistan set to face each other in both events.

The financial implications of India-Pakistan matches are also a significant factor. These encounters generate substantial revenue for the governing bodies, making it unlikely that the ACC would forgo such a lucrative opportunity.

While the final decision on the Asia Cup 2025 venue and schedule is pending, the ACC's ongoing preparations suggest a strong possibility of the tournament proceeding as planned. This raises hopes for cricket fans worldwide to witness another thrilling India-Pakistan clash.