Asia Cup 2025 Live: India Opens vs UAE, Bumrah Back, Pakistan Shake-Up
Get live updates from Asia Cup 2025 press conference. India opens vs UAE, Bumrah back, Pakistan skips Babar & Rizwan. Full team insights here.
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The Asia Cup 2025 is set to begin, with all team captains facing the media during Tuesday’s pre-tournament press conference. Leaders from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong are expected to address strategies, squad readiness, and upcoming match challenges. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav is among the key speakers, with particular focus on the high-profile India-Pakistan clash scheduled for September 14.
Pakistan has excluded former captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the squad. The team will depend on younger batters and seasoned middle-order players to perform under pressure, particularly against strong opposition bowling attacks.
India has recalled pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the Asia Cup, signaling the team’s commitment ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. The 31-year-old, who has managed his workload across formats, will be crucial in both powerplay and death overs, offering experience and tactical advantage.
Ahead of India’s opener against UAE on Wednesday, bowling coach Morne Morkel stated the final selection of the bowling attack will depend on pitch conditions. He emphasized the importance of assessing the wicket before making decisions, citing similar conditions during the Champions Trophy.
Teams outside the Test-playing circle, including UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong, are looking to create surprises. The fast-paced and unpredictable nature of T20 cricket gives these sides opportunities to challenge stronger teams and make a mark on the tournament.
India’s opening match against UAE is seen as a warm-up before the marquee fixture against Pakistan. It provides a platform for India to test squad combinations, while for the UAE, the encounter represents a rare opportunity to compete against world-class players like Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah.
India enters the Asia Cup as defending champions under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership. The team is also preparing for the T20 World Cup next year, which India will co-host. Group A action starts with the UAE clash on Wednesday.
The last T20 Asia Cup was held in 2022, with Sri Lanka defeating Pakistan in the final. Since 2016, the Asia Cup has alternated between ODI and T20 formats. This edition acts as a preparatory tournament ahead of the T20 World Cup in February 2026, with India hosting and Pakistan playing in Sri Lanka.
