Asia Cup matches delayed by half hour each due to heat as the matches will begin at 6.30pm local time (8pm IST).
The intense heat in the United Arab Emirates has caused the start times of 18 of the 19 games in the upcoming Asia Cup to be rescheduled by 30 minutes.
The matches will start at 6.30 p.m. local time (8 p.m. IST) according to the updated schedule.
The competition, this time in the T20 format, will take place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September 9 to September 28.
“The start time for 18 out of the 19 DP World Asia Cup 2025 matches has been updated. These matches will now begin at 6:30pm local time (Gulf Standard Time),” the Emirates Cricket Board said in a statement on its website.
“The Monday, 15 September match between UAE and Oman will start at 4pm local time at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – the only day game of the tournament.”
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) first announced the schedule earlier this month, with the matches starting at 6 p.m. local time.
The India-Pakistan match is scheduled for September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India’s players and teams are permitted to participate in multi-nation competitions that also involve Pakistan, such as the forthcoming men’s Asia Cup, but they will not host or go to Pakistan for bilateral matches.
India’s campaign will begin on September 10 against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai, and on September 19, they will play their last group stage match against Oman in Abu Dhabi.
Group A consists of India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, whereas Group B is made up of Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka.