Eight teams will compete for the continental title, divided into two groups. Group A features India, Pakistan, Hong Kong China, and Thailand, while Group B comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the UAE. The tournament will get underway on August 28 with a Group A clash between Hong Kong China and Thailand.
One of the biggest attractions of the competition will be the India-Pakistan showdown, scheduled for September 5. The two arch-rivals have been drawn in the same group, making their encounter one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the tournament.
The group stage will follow a round-robin format, with each team playing the other three sides in its group. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
Group B is also expected to produce exciting contests, including the much-anticipated Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh fixture on September 6. Sri Lanka enter the tournament as the defending champions, having lifted the trophy in 2024. India remain the most successful team in the competition’s history with titles in 2012, 2016, and 2022, while Bangladesh claimed their maiden crown in 2018.
The knockout stage begins with the first semi-final on September 10, featuring the Group A winners against the Group B runners-up. The second semi-final will take place on September 11, with the Group B winners taking on the Group A runners-up.
Since India and Pakistan are in the same group, they cannot meet in the semi-finals. If both teams progress beyond the group stage, a second meeting between the two rivals would only be possible in the final, which is scheduled for September 13 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, bringing the 17-day tournament to a thrilling conclusion.
