Asia Cup 2025: UAE Heatwave Forces Matches to Start 30 Minutes Later

Almost all of the fixtures of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 have been rescheduled by 30 minutes to tackle the extreme heat conditions in the United Arab Emirates. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the adjustment in a press release on Saturday, August 30.

According to the revised timings, all evening matches will now begin at 8:00 PM IST (6:30 PM local time). "The start time for 18 out of the 19 DP World Asia Cup 2025 matches has been updated. These matches will now begin at 6:30 pm local time (Gulf Standard Time),” the ECB stated.

The only exception is the sole day game of the tournament, when hosts UAE face Oman at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. That fixture, scheduled for September 15, will begin at 5:30 PM IST (4:00 PM local time).

The Asia Cup 2025, played in the T20 format this year, will run from September 9 to 28 across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Initially, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had scheduled evening games to begin at 7:30 PM IST (6:00 PM local time), but the revised timings pushed most contests half an hour later.

The marquee clash of the tournament — India versus Pakistan — remains set for September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With both sides drawn into Group A, the encounter will be crucial in determining the group standings.

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, opens their campaign against hosts UAE on September 10 in Dubai. Their final group-stage match will be against Oman in Abu Dhabi on September 19. Group A consists of India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while Group B features defending champions Sri Lanka alongside Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.

With temperatures expected to remain high throughout September in the Gulf, the revised timings are seen as a practical solution to reduce the impact of extreme conditions and ensure smoother conduct of the continental event.

Asia Cup 2025: Updated Full Schedule

• Tuesday, 9 September – Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Wednesday, 10 September – India vs United Arab Emirates, Dubai – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Thursday, 11 September – Bangladesh vs Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Friday, 12 September – Pakistan vs Oman, Dubai – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Saturday, 13 September – Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Sunday, 14 September – India vs Pakistan, Dubai – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Monday, 15 September – UAE vs Oman, Abu Dhabi – 4:00 pm local time, 5:30 pm IST
• Monday, 15 September – Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong, Dubai – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Tuesday, 16 September – Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Wednesday, 17 September – Pakistan vs UAE, Dubai – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Thursday, 18 September – Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Friday, 19 September – India vs Oman, Abu Dhabi – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Saturday, 20 September – B1 vs B2, Dubai – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Sunday, 21 September – A1 vs A2, Dubai – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Monday, 22 September – Rest Day
• Tuesday, 23 September – A2 vs B1, Abu Dhabi – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Wednesday, 24 September – A1 vs B2, Dubai – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Thursday, 25 September – A2 vs B2, Dubai – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Friday, 26 September – A1 vs B1, Dubai – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Saturday, 27 September – Rest Day
• Sunday, 28 September – Final, Dubai – 6:30 pm local time, 8 pm IST
• Monday, 29 September – Reserve Day