The Asia Cup 2025 begins today (September 9) in the UAE, with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi to kick off three weeks of exciting T20 cricket. The tournament, which runs until September 28, will feature eight teams competing for the continental crown and also serves as vital preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next year in India and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka, six-time Asia Cup champions, will aim to add another title to their rich legacy. Their campaign starts against Bangladesh on September 13 in Abu Dhabi, followed by matches against Hong Kong and Afghanistan. These fixtures are expected to help the selectors and captain test strategies and player combinations ahead of the Super Fours and the World Cup.

The tournament format places eight teams into two groups:

Group A: India, Oman, Pakistan, UAE

Group B: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka

The top two teams from each group advance to the Super Fours, with the final set for September 28 in Dubai. Matches will be played across two venues—the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi—with games starting at 8:00 PM IST, except for a special day match on September 15.

Sri Lanka’s group stage fixtures (IST):

September 13: vs Bangladesh (Abu Dhabi, 8:00 PM)

September 15: vs Hong Kong (Dubai, 8:00 PM)

September 18: vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi, 8:00 PM)

Among the tournament highlights is the India vs Pakistan clash on September 14 in Dubai, a match that could be repeated in the Super Fours or even the final.

For Sri Lanka, the Asia Cup is about more than just regional glory. It offers a chance to fine-tune strategies, test bench strength, and build momentum ahead of next year’s World Cup. Fans will be eager to see if the Lions can draw on their proud Asia Cup history to deliver another memorable performance in the desert.