The Asia Cup 2025 kicks off today with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong at the iconic Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. If you’re a cricket fan in the UAE, here’s everything you need to catch all the action live.
Today’s Match Details
Date: Tuesday, September 9
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Match Start: 6.30pm (UAE time)
Toss: 6pm
Live Telecast/Streaming
UAE: CricLife Max via eLife and Switch TV
India: Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV app (live streaming)
Pakistan: Tamasha / Myco, PTV
Sri Lanka: Sirasa TV, TV-1
Bangladesh: Gazi TV, live streaming on Toffee and Tapmad
USA: Willow TV
Australia: Kayo Sports
Asia Cup 2025: Teams, Groups & Format
The Asia Cup 2025 will be held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September 9 to 28, featuring 19 T20I matches across eight teams.
Group Stage
Group A: Oman, UAE, Pakistan, India
Group B: Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
Tournament Format
Each team plays three group matches.
The top two teams from each group advance to the Super Fours, which consists of six matches.
The winners of the Super Fours meet in the final to claim the Asia Cup trophy.
Fans, take note. Match start times for the Asia Cup 2025 have been shifted 30 minutes later, with most games now beginning at 6:30 pm (UAE time), making it easier to catch the action live from home or at the stadium. The only exception is the Group A clash, UAE vs Oman, on Monday, September 15, which will start earlier at 4pm at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Afghanistan vs Hong Kong Match Preview
Afghanistan comes into the match after a recent loss to Pakistan in the Tri-Series, with Rashid Khan leading the spin attack.
Hong Kong, led by Yasim Murtaza, last defeated Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi in 2015, making this opener an intriguing clash.
Abu Dhabi’s pitch favours batters slightly more than spin. Afghanistan’s spinners remain key players to watch.
Key Players to Watch
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Hong Kong: Yasim Murtaza (c), Nizakat Khan, Babar Hayat, Anshuman Rath
Trivia
Afghanistan have a strong T20I record at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, winning 11 out of 16 matches.
Hong Kong have historically struggled at the Asia Cup, with their last win over Afghanistan at this venue in 2015.
With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.
UAE motorists won’t have long to wait to find out whether fuel prices will increase in August, with the Fuel Price Committee set to announce the new rates on Thursday, July 31.
The revised petrol and diesel prices will take effect from August 1.
Will fuel prices go up?
After a welcome price cut in July, the outlook for August is less certain.
Global oil prices initially fell below $70 a barrel earlier this month, raising hopes of another reduction. However, prices have since rebounded sharply, clouding the picture for motorists.
Brent crude briefly climbed above $100 a barrel, while US benchmark WTI rose to nearly us$92. Abu Dhabi’s Murban crude also surged past us$105, reflecting renewed strength in global energy markets.
Because UAE fuel prices are based on average international oil prices over the month, the late-July rally could limit or even reverse last month’s cuts.
Current UAE fuel prices
Motorists are currently paying:
Super 98: Dh3.40 per litre
Special 95: Dh3.29 per litre
E-Plus 91: Dh3.21 per litre
Diesel: Dh3.60 per litre
These rates were introduced in July after global oil prices eased earlier in the summer.
How UAE fuel prices are set
The UAE reviews petrol and diesel prices every month based on average global crude oil and refined fuel prices.
The August rates will be announced on July 31 through official government channels and will come into effect the following day.
Abu Dhabi Police are urging motorists to switch off their engines and take their keys whenever leaving their vehicles, warning that even brief stops can increase the risk of theft, fires and other safety hazards.
The advisory applies to drivers stopping at shops, petrol stations, ATMs or mosques, where some motorists continue to leave vehicles unattended with the engine running.
Police said leaving a running vehicle unattended creates an opportunity for theft and could also lead to mechanical problems or fire-related incidents.
Motorists were also reminded never to leave children, especially infants, inside a running vehicle, describing the practice as a serious threat to their safety.
Traffic laws
Abu Dhabi Police also highlighted that UAE traffic laws prohibit leaving an unattended vehicle with its engine running.
Drivers who fail to comply with traffic rules and official instructions can face a Dh500fine under the Federal Traffic Law.
Authorities urged motorists to adopt safe habits by turning off the engine, removing the key and locking the vehicle every time they step away, no matter how briefly.
Passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport (DXB) can now check if they’re eligible to use Smart Gates before reaching passport control.
Dubai Airports has introduced the new Smart Gates Pre-Eligibility Verification service in partnership with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to make immigration faster and reduce waiting times.
How it works
Every improvement at @DXB is designed around the objective of making the journey through the #airport more seamless for our guests.
Developed in collaboration with @GDRFADUBAI, the new Smart Gates Eligibility Pre-Check gives travellers instant confirmation of their Smart Gates… pic.twitter.com/cg8irvnbfY
Travellers can instantly verify their Smart Gate eligibility through the Pocket Flights platform or by scanning QR codes placed across airport terminals and boarding gates.
The service lets passengers know in advance whether they can use the automated passport gates, helping them avoid uncertainty at immigration.
Faster airport experience
Dubai Airports says the new feature is part of its ongoing efforts to streamline passenger journeys and improve the overall airport experience.
By allowing travellers to confirm eligibility before reaching passport control, the airport aims to speed up immigration processing and make travel through DXB more seamless for millions of passengers each year.