🌟 Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship Set to Begin in Qatar
The highly anticipated Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship 2025 is all set to begin in Doha, Qatar, bringing together eight competitive teams from across Asia.
One of the biggest highlights of the tournament is the India vs Pakistan clash, as both teams have been placed in the same group, reigniting one of cricket’s most thrilling rivalries.
🏆 Trophy Controversy: Mohsin Naqvi Back in the Headlines
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is once again in the spotlight ahead of the championship. According to Cricbuzz reports, Team India still has not received the Asia Cup trophy, which reportedly remains with Naqvi since the conclusion of the previous edition.
This has sparked conversations and speculation about the trophy presentation ceremony and whether Naqvi will once again take center stage during the event.
🏏 Tournament Overview: Format, Teams, and Schedule
The Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship will feature eight teams:
India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, UAE, and Hong Kong.
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Dates: November 14 to 23, 2025
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Venue: Doha, Qatar
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Format: T20
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Total Matches: 15
India and Pakistan share Group A with Oman and UAE, while Group B includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
Unlike the main Asia Cup, this edition will not include a Super Four stage. Each team can play each opponent once in the group stage, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals. The final match is scheduled for November 23.
🥇 Defending Champions and Past Highlights
Afghanistan A enter the tournament as the defending champions, after defeating India A and Sri Lanka A in the 2024 edition held at Al Amerat Stadium, Oman.
Last year’s Indian squad featured Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Chahar, Prabhsimran Singh, Sai Kishore, and Anshul Kamboj, under the leadership of Tilak Varma.
🇮🇳 India’s Squad for 2025 Rising Stars Championship
The BCCI has finalized India’s lineup for this year’s event, with Vaibhav Suryavanshi among the selected players.
The complete squad list is expected to be officially announced in the coming days.
🧒 Upcoming U-19 Asia Cup in December
Following the Rising Stars event, an Under-19 Asia Cup is planned for December 2025.
While the venue and dates are yet to be confirmed, the tournament is likely to be held in the Gulf region in a 50-over format.
🎤 Will Mohsin Naqvi Present the Trophies Again?
Amid ongoing speculation, fans and officials are curious whether PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi will once again personally present the trophies at both the Rising Stars Championship and the U-19 Asia Cup.
His prominent role in past events continues to draw mixed reactions and social media debate, adding another layer of drama to the India-Pakistan rivalry.
