The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), headed by Mohsin Naqvi, is taking major steps to grow cricket across Asia with new and exciting tournaments. At a meeting held in Doha on Saturday, 8 November, the ACC announced plans to organize a “Legends of Asia” event featuring former cricket stars and a separate league for associate member nations.
It is being said that some of these events are going to be held in Oman and Doha, which have recently upgraded their cricket facilities to world-class standards. Mohsin Naqvi-led ACC decided to launch these new tournaments after the success of the 2025 Asia Cup.
Mohsin Naqvi-led ACC expands Asian cricket with new tournaments
The Asia Cup 2025, which was held in the United Arab Emirates in September, exceeded expectations and attracted far more spectators than anticipated.
Encouraged by this success, the ACC Board has decided to expand its calendar with events that aim to promote cricket in emerging countries in the subcontinent.
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“Enthused by the fact that the viewership of the Asia Cup was higher than expected, the ACC Board has decided to host a league between the Legends of Asia program and the associate members of the ACC,” the source told Telecom Asia Sports (as quoted by IANS).
ACC President leads preparations for Rising Stars Asia Cup
The Rising Stars Asia Cup, formerly known as the Emerging Asia Cup, will take place in Doha from November 14 to 23. This eight-nation T20 tournament promises exciting action.
India and Pakistan are set to face each other in a high-profile encounter on November 14, while Oman and UAE are also part of their group. The tournament will also feature Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Hong Kong, making it a highly competitive event that will give young players a chance to shine on the international stage.
Pakistan’s ACC President Mohsin Naqvi chaired the meeting and inspected the preparations for the Rising Stars Asia Cup.
He has directed the ACC management to prepare a comprehensive plan for the upcoming events to promote cricket in new countries of Asia and provide full support to the emerging cricket countries, which will help them gain exposure and experience and grow the game.
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“A meeting was held under the chairmanship of ACC President Mohsin Naqvi of Pakistan to oversee the arrangements for the Rising Stars Asia Cup, which is being renamed the Emerging Asia Cup,” Telecom Asia Sport quoted an ACC spokesperson as saying.
After the meeting, Naqvi said, “We need to promote cricket in new countries of Asia and ACC will provide full support to the new countries.”
India’s interaction with Pakistan players during the Rising Stars Asia Cup remains a matter of curiosity. Officials are closely watching how India handles the on-field encounters with Pakistan, especially if India reaches the final.
Naqvi, who is set to be the chief guest for the final, could present the trophy, adding an extra layer of drama after the Asia Cup trophy drama.
