Pakistan T20 squad for next Asia Cup announced

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly finalized its squad selection for the 2025 Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, which is set to begin on November 14 in Doha. Irfan Khan Niazi is expected to lead the side, with the PCB showing confidence in the next generation as they prepare for the competition.

Pakistan is set to take on Oman in the opening match at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha. The eight teams are divided into two groups, with India, Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE placed in Group B, while Group A features Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka.

PCB Finalize Squad for 2025 Asia Cup Rising Stars Tournament

According to Au Rangzab Younis, Pakistan has finalized a 15-member squad for the newly rebranded tournament. The team will take part in the event later this month.

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Pakistan continues to back young cricketers who have already made an impact in domestic games and franchise leagues. Many of these players are making their mark in the local circuit.

Arafat Minhas will add balance with his all-around skills, while Sufiyan Muqeem and Ubaid Shah are expected to lead the bowling group with their skills.

With a mix of rising talent and experienced domestic performers, Pakistan will look to make an impact in the competition. For several players, this will be an important chance to represent the country on a bigger stage.

Pakistan’s Reported Squad for Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025:

Irfan Khan Niazi (C), Yasir Khan, Mohammad Naeem, Mohammad Faiq, Maaz Sadaqat, Ghazi Ghouri, Mohammad Shahzad, Saad Masood, Arafat Minhas, Mubasir Khan, Shahid Aziz, Sufiyan Muqeem, Ubaid Shah, Mohammad Salman, Ahmed Daniyal

The Emerging Teams event, launched in 2013, has evolved from an Under-23 competition into a tournament for ‘A’ sides over its six editions.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have each lifted the title twice, while India and Afghanistan have one championship each. The most recent edition took place in 2024 in Oman, where Afghanistan claimed the trophy with a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the final.

India and Pakistan Men Set for First Meeting Since Asia Cup

The match between India and Pakistan will take place on November 16. Notably, it will be the first time the men’s teams face each other since their Asia Cup encounter in September. The only interaction between the nations came during the Women’s ODI World Cup last month.

Their last meeting in the men’s tournament had ended in an uncomfortable atmosphere. There were no handshakes or friendly exchanges between the players, adding to the tension around the fixture. The Men in Blue finished that event as champions.

India did not want to receive the trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as PCB chairman and a Pakistani minister. With the ceremony stalled, an ACC representative eventually removed the trophy from the dais.

Also read: Amol Muzumdar recreates Rohit Sharma's iconic celebration after Women's World Cup win