Pakistan’s national side has touched down in Dubai to begin a week-long training camp ahead of a packed schedule that includes a tri-nation series and the much-anticipated 2025 Asia Cup.

Preparation Base: ICC Academy

The players are arriving in phases, with the full squad expected to assemble at the ICC Academy by August 21. Training will continue there until August 27, after which the team will immediately shift focus to competitive cricket. The setup gives the coaching staff a limited but crucial window to experiment with combinations and assess player fitness before the back-to-back tournaments.

Sharjah Tri-Series to Kick Off Match Practice

Pakistan’s warm-up comes in the form of a Tri-Nation Series against Afghanistan and the UAE, scheduled from August 29 to September 7. All fixtures are night games at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, a deliberate move to replicate Asia Cup conditions.

Babar Azam’s men open their campaign against Afghanistan, with each side facing the other twice before the top two meet in the September 7 final. The mini-tournament offers Pakistan a competitive yet manageable test before they run into higher-ranked opponents at the Asia Cup.

Asia Cup Draw Promises Fireworks

The regional showpiece begins on September 9, with Afghanistan meeting Hong Kong in the curtain-raiser. Pakistan, placed in Group A, face a demanding slate: Oman on September 12, India on September 14, and hosts UAE on September 17.

That September 14 clash against India is already shaping up as the tournament’s marquee contest. With both teams expected to test their best line-ups early, the Dubai camp will be pivotal for Pakistan to lock in a settled playing XI.

Why This Camp Matters

Pakistan’s challenge lies not just in handling the pressure of an India game but also in managing player workloads across consecutive tournaments. The PCB’s scheduling—first giving the squad match practice in Sharjah before plunging into the Asia Cup—suggests an effort to balance preparation with freshness. How well the Men in Green use this week in Dubai could set the tone for their entire campaign.