🌟 Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship 2025 Set for Kickoff in Doha
The Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship 2025 is all set to begin in Doha, Qatar, featuring eight top Asian teams — including arch-rivals India and Pakistan, who will compete in the same group once again.
This exciting T20-format tournament will run from November 14 to 23, showcasing young and emerging talents from across Asia.
🏆 Mohsin Naqvi and the Trophy Controversy
The event has already sparked buzz around Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is reportedly still in possession of the Asia Cup trophy.
According to Cricbuzz, Team India — the winner of the main Asia Cup 2024 — has not yet received the trophy, as it remains with Naqvi. This has reignited discussions on whether he will personally present the trophies during the upcoming Rising Stars and Under-19 Asia Cup tournaments.
⚔️ India vs Pakistan: High-Voltage Rivalry Returns
Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating another India vs Pakistan showdown. Both teams are grouped with Oman and UAE, setting the stage for intense group-stage clashes.
The second group includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong, mirroring the structure of the senior Asia Cup.
📅 Tournament Format & Schedule
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Dates: November 14–23, 2025
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Venue: Doha, Qatar
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Total Matches: 15 (T20 format)
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Format: No Super Four stage this time. Teams may meet only twice — once in the group stage and possibly in the final.
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Semifinals: Top two teams from each group will qualify.
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Final: Scheduled for November 23, 2025.
🏅 Teams and Composition
The competition will feature:
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India A, Pakistan A, Sri Lanka A, Bangladesh A, Afghanistan A
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UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong with their senior squads
This mix promises a balanced contest between experienced players and rising talents.
🏏 Defending Champions and Key Players
Afghanistan enters the tournament as the defending champion, having beaten India A in the semifinals and Sri Lanka A in the final of the previous edition held in Oman (October 2024).
Last year’s Indian squad, led by Tilak Varma, featured stars like Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Chahar, Prabhsimran Singh, Sai Kishore, and Anshul Kamboj.
For this year, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has already been named among the selected players, with the BCCI expected to announce the complete India A squad soon.
🧒 Under-19 Asia Cup Also on the Horizon
Alongside the Rising Stars event, the Under-19 Asia Cup 2025 is also planned for December.
While the exact dates and venue are yet to be confirmed, the 50-over format event is expected to be hosted in the Gulf region.
🔥 What’s Next for Mohsin Naqvi?
Cricket fans are now watching closely to see if Mohsin Naqvi will once again take center stage during the trophy presentations at both tournaments. His involvement has added an extra layer of intrigue to an already high-voltage India-Pakistan rivalry.
