The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has officially announced the 2025 Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship, a new tournament designed to bridge the competitive gap between associate and full-member nations. Scheduled to begin on November 14, 2025, in Doha, Qatar, the event will feature “A” teams from leading Asian cricketing nations alongside senior squads from top associate countries, marking a major innovation in the regional cricket structure.
The participating teams will include India A, Pakistan A, Sri Lanka A, Bangladesh A, and Afghanistan A, joined by senior national sides from Oman, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and one additional emerging team from qualifiers. This combination of developmental and senior squads ensures that the tournament will serve as both a proving ground for upcoming stars and a competitive platform for nations looking to rise within the global hierarchy.
The championship will be played in the T20 format, with a round-robin group stage followed by semi-finals and a final. The condensed 10-day schedule is designed to test depth, adaptability, and consistency, qualities that define modern limited-overs cricket. The decision to stage the event in Qatar reflects the ACC’s intent to expand the game’s footprint into new markets while leveraging world-class facilities in the Gulf.
The Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship represents more than just another regional competition — it’s a strategic investment in cricket’s future. The ACC’s aim is to create a structured platform that allows players on the fringe of senior national selection to gain exposure against high-quality opposition. For full-member nations, it’s an opportunity to monitor bench strength and groom talent for upcoming global tournaments, including the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. For associate teams, it provides invaluable experience against higher-ranked opponents, critical for narrowing the skill and tactical gap.
The introduction of Oman and UAE’s senior squads adds another layer of significance. Both nations have made rapid progress in white-ball cricket, with growing domestic structures and consistent performances in ICC events. Competing regularly against the A-teams of India and Pakistan will accelerate their development and raise the standard of associate-level competition across Asia.
From a broader perspective, this initiative reflects how cricket administration in Asia is adapting to a rapidly professionalising environment. Franchise leagues, rising salary caps, and congested international schedules have fragmented the player development pipeline. The Rising Stars Championship offers a balanced counterpoint — a controlled, high-intensity environment focused on nurturing future internationals rather than purely commercial outcomes.
Anticipation is already building for the marquee fixtures, particularly an expected India A vs Pakistan A clash early in the schedule. For fans, it’s a glimpse into the next generation of rivalry; for selectors, it’s a scouting goldmine. The ACC hopes that standout performances from this event will serve as a launchpad for emerging players to break into senior international cricket or top franchise leagues.
In essence, the 2025 Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship is poised to become a defining feature of the cricket calendar — a tournament where development meets competition, and where Asia’s future cricketing elite begin to take shape.
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