According to Cricbuzz, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has renamed the Emerging Teams Asia Cup as the Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship. However, following the Asia Cup 2025 controversy, there remains uncertainty over whether ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi will attend the trophy ceremony if India wins the title.
The Asia Cup ended amid controversies, which started with the handshake controversy between India and Pakistan. Notably, the event ended without the trophy being presented to India. India refused to take it from Pakistan Home Minister Naqvi. There is still no clarity on when the Suryakumar Yadav-led team will get the trophy.
Asian Cricket Council announces Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025
According to Cricbuzz, all eight teams of Asia Cup 2025 – India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, UAE and Hong Kong – will participate in the Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship. The T20 tournament will be played in Doha from 14 to 23 November.
Teams will compete in groups, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals. The final match is scheduled to be held on 23 November. Notably, the structure is identical to the previous version, with no Super Four stage involved.
“The tournament has been rebranded as the Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship, previously known as the Emerging Asia Cup. All eight teams – India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, UAE and Hong Kong – will be participating nations in the main Asia Cup to be held in the UAE in September,” the report said.
The five Asian Test-playing nations – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka – will be represented by their A teams. Meanwhile, Oman, UAE and Hong Kong will field their entire senior teams.
Pakistan, India placed in same group for Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship
India and Pakistan have once again been placed in the same group. The eight banks are divided into two pools. Group A includes India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong.
However, the Super Four stage has been eliminated, and only the top two teams from each group will advance directly to the semi-finals. As a result, India and Pakistan can meet only twice maximum – once in the league stage and then in the playoffs, if both advance.
Afghanistan entered the 15-match competition as defending champions, defeating India in the semi-finals and Sri Lanka in the 2024 final at Al Amerat. The upcoming 10-day tournament will again have 15 games, and team selection has reportedly been completed.
Under-19 Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in December
Another continental event will be played after the Rising Stars tournament. The Under-19 Cup is scheduled to be held in December. Notably, the exact dates and venue have not been confirmed but the competition is expected to be held in the Gulf and will be played in the 50-over format.
,Following the Rising Stars competition, another Asia Cup is proposed this year – this time for the continent’s under-19 teams, and it is scheduled for December,” the report said.
Both the Rising Stars event and the Under-19 edition will be telecast on Sony Sports, while the live streaming will be available on Sony Liv. It is not clear whether Mohsin Naqvi will present himself for the trophy presentation once again.
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