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The ACC has moved the start time of 18 Asia Cup 2025 matches to 6:30 pm GST (7:30 pm in Pakistan, 8:00 pm IST) to smooth play and beat the UAE heat. Only one fixture stays as a day game.
India and Pakistan match played at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on June 9, 2024 in New York. — AFPThe Asian Cricket Council has revised the Asia Cup 2025 match timings to minimise potential weather disruptions for players and fans.According to the ACC, the matches will now... how to..?
Cricket fever is building once again as the Asia Cup 2025 edges closer, and now there’s fresh news affecting fans and players alike: the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has tweaked the match timings, aiming for smoother play under the lights.
Previously, all matches were slated to start at 6:00 pm Gulf Standard Time (GST), but that timeline has been shifted—now, 18 out of the 19 games will begin at 6:30 pm GST, which translates to 7:30 pm in Pakistan and 8:00 pm IST in India. The adjustment effectively moves cricket action into cooler, more fan-friendly evening hours.
One notable exception: the UAE vs Oman match on September 15 will remain a daytime spectacle, kicking off at 4:00 pm GST at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Stadium. Impressively, it will be followed by Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong later that evening, ensuring a thrilling doubleheader day in mid-tournament play.
The change wasn’t just about comfort—it was about practicality too. With soaring August temperatures in the UAE—some areas flirting with daily highs above 45°C—starting later helps protect players from the worst of the heat while also giving broadcasters prime-time-friendly schedules. The ACC emphasized that the new timings will help reduce weather-related interruptions and make match viewing more convenient for fans both at stadiums and at home.
This timing update isn’t just a technical tweak—it directly influences the tournament rhythm. Cricket lovers across the region can now settle in comfortably for every evening session, whether cheering in packed stadiums or tuning in from afar. It’s a smart balance—delivering seamless cricket and spectator comfort in equal measure.
Asia Cup 2025, set from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, features eight national teams battling it out in the fast-paced T20I format. Matches are split between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with the opening clash featuring Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, and the high-voltage India vs Pakistan showdown scheduled for September 14 in Dubai. The final is also set for late September at the same venue.
By making this schedule shift, the ACC is delivering not just a timetable change, but a climate-conscious, fan-centric experience that recognizes how crucial timing is to the tournament’s success—both on the pitch and beyond.
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