In a move aimed at ensuring match readiness ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly in talks to organise a tri-nation T20I series featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This development comes at a time when there is uncertainty looming over the Asia Cup 2025. Some media outlets cited unnamed Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sources claiming the board has decided to pull out, not just from the men’s event in September, but also from the Women’s Emerging Teams tournament following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, that claimed 26 civilian lives.
However, the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia later on denied such reports.
Also read: BCCI Boycotts Asia Cup 2025 to Isolate Pakistan - Report
PCB Plans Tri-Series With Afghanistan, UAE as Asia Cup Hangs in Balance
Meanwhile, across the border, the Pakistan Cricket Board has been moving ahead with plans for Pakistan’s preparation for the Asia Cup amid the uncertainty.
A CricketPakistan report confirmed PCB is planning to organise a tri-nation T20I series between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE to simulate Asia Cup conditions and keep their team match-ready in case the tournament does not get cancelled.
Afghanistan are already scheduled to travel to Pakistan in August for a three-match T20I series. However, fresh discussions between the cricket boards suggest that the series might now evolve into a triangular tournament, with the United Arab Emirates likely to be added as the third team.
"According to sources, initial talks between the cricket boards of the three countries are underway to finalise the proposed series. The idea is to convert the scheduled bilateral series between Pakistan and Afghanistan into a tri-series by adding UAE to the mix," the report read.
Future of Asia Cup in Doubt
Although India are listed as the official host for the Asia Cup 2025, the long-standing conflict and recent tensions between the two nations mean Pakistan are not expected to tour across the border for the competition if it happens at all.
As a result, the event may follow a hybrid hosting model, similar to the last edition. The PCB sees the proposed tri-series a way to prepare under similar playing conditions should the Asia Cup move to the UAE.
All of this will only be relevant if the Asia Cup 2025 takes place in September, which seems unlikely looking at the present scenario.
