Next Asia Cup schedule announced, Inda-Pakistan in same group

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has renamed the Emerging Teams Asia Cup to the Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship, according to Cricbuzz. However, uncertainty surrounds whether ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi will be involved in the trophy ceremony if India clinch the title, following the controversy from the Asia Cup 2025.

The Asia Cup ended amid controversy, beginning with the handshake row between India and Pakistan. Notably, the event ended without a trophy presentation for India. India refused to accept it from Naqvi, who is Pakistan’s Interior Minister. There is still no clarity on when the Suryakumar Yadav-led team will receive the trophy.

Asian Cricket Council Announces Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025

According to Cricbuzz, all eight teams - India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, the UAE, and Hong Kong - from the Asia Cup 2025 will feature in the Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship. The T20 tournament will be played in Doha from November 14 to 23.

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Teams will compete in groups, with the top two from each pool reaching the semifinals. The final match is set to take place on November 23. Notably, the structure is similar to the previous edition, with no Super Four stage included.

"The tournament has been rebranded as the Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship, previously known as the Emerging Asia Cup. All eight teams that featured in the main Asia Cup held in the UAE in September - India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, the UAE, and Hong Kong - will be the participating countries," the report read.

The five Asian Test-playing nations - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka - will be represented by their A teams. Meanwhile, Oman, the UAE, and Hong Kong will field their full senior squads.

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 sides have been split into two pools. Group A includes India, Pakistan, the UAE, and Oman, while Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.

However, the Super Four phase has been removed, and only the top two teams from each group will progress directly to the semifinals. As a result, India and Pakistan can meet only twice at most - once in the league stage and again in the playoffs, if both advance.

Afghanistan entered the 15-match competition as defending champions, having defeated India in the semifinal and Sri Lanka in the final of the 2024 event in Al Amerat. The upcoming 10-day tournament will again feature 15 games, and team selections are reportedly complete.

Under-19 Asia Cup Set To Take Place In December

Another continental event will be played after the Rising Stars tournament. The Under-19 Cup is scheduled to take place 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 on the anvil this year - this time for the Under-19 teams of the continent, and it is scheduled for December," the report added.

Both the Rising Stars event and the U-19 edition will be televised on Sony Sports, with live streaming available on Sony LIV. It remains unclear whether Mohsin Naqvi will once again position himself for the trophy presentation.

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