MUMBAI: India will host the Men’s Asia Cup in 2025, which will be played in the T20 format, as per the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) release of an Invitation for Expressions of Interest (IEOI) document on Saturday. This document invites interested parties to submit their IEOI for ACC Sponsorship Rights for the period from 2024 to 2027.
The 2023 men’s Asia Cup was hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka and was played in the 50-overs format.
The 2027 edition of the Men’s Asia Cup will switch to the ODI format and will be hosted by Bangladesh. Both tournaments will include six teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and a sixth team determined through qualifying event and comprise of 13 matches per edition.
The next edition of Women’s Asia Cup (15 matches) will also be played in the T20 format and is scheduled for 2026. The 2024 Women’s Asia Cup concluded in Dambulla on Sunday, with Sri Lanka winning their maiden title, stunning India by eight wickets in the final.
There will be four editions of the Under-19 men’s Asia Cup in this period, with each edition staging 15 matches.
“The details, including but not limited to the schedules, dates, years, formats and/or venues, regarding the ACC Tournaments given below are tentative and may be subject to change at anytime at the absolute discretion of ACC and without any liability to ACC,” the document mentions.
The ACC is headed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
ICA provides one-time benefit to 26 ex-cricketers
Meanwhile, the Indian Cricket Association has decided to provide a one-time benefit to 26 former First-Class cricketers, who are its members. These cricketers, who have played between 10-24 First-Class matches, are aged more than 70 and are not receiving any gratis from the BCCI or their state association. The ICA took the decision in its Board meeting on March 12 this year.
“In recognition of the remarkable careers of our dedicated members, the ICA is extending a one-time benefit award to those who have reached the milestone of 70 years and are not receiving any gratis or pension from the BCCI or any state association,” ICA posted on X on Monday.
“Through this post, I express my gratitude to ICA for their considerable and laudable act in recognition of my cricket ability. I thank ICA for the ‘letter of appreciation’ and the welcoming ‘benefit award.’ I feel indeed honoured by their gesture. This act of consideration has led to the well-being of the old-time cricketers, for which they will not only feel honoured but also remain ever grateful to the ICA,” posted Probir Kumar Sur, a former Bengal First-Class cricketer, on ‘X’.
The ICA is also providing Group Health Insurance (Rs 2.5 lakhs) for its members who have played less than 10 First-Class matches and are not covered by BCCI medical reimbursement.