The probable Pakistan Shaheens squad for the upcoming Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Asia Cup Rising Stars — formerly known as the Emerging Asia Cup, has started to take shape ahead of the tournament scheduled in Qatar from November 14 to 23.
According to Geo Super, Irfan Khan Niazi is likely to lead the side, with names such as Maaz Sadaqat, Arafat Minhas, Ubaid Shah, and Mohammad Salman among the young talents expected to be part of the team.
The tournament will be held in Qatar from November 14 to 23, featuring eight participating teams from across Asia.
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Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, and Hong Kong will compete in the T20-format event, which promises to showcase the region’s brightest young cricketing talent.
According to the announced groups, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong are placed in Group A, while Pakistan, India, UAE, and Oman make up Group B.
READ: Pakistan, India to face off as ACC reveals Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 schedule
Test-playing nations, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, will send their A teams, while UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong will participate with their senior squads.
The much-anticipated Pakistan-India clash is scheduled for November 16, with Pakistan beginning their campaign against Oman on November 14 and then facing the UAE on November 18.
The top two teams from each group will advance directly to the semi-finals, set for November 21, followed by the grand final on November 23.
This edition will not include a Super Four stage, with the event adopting a straight knockout format instead.
As a result, Pakistan and India could meet twice — once in the group stage and potentially again in the final, depending on their progression.
A total of 15 matches will be played across the tournament, which will see Afghanistan defend their title after winning the 2024 edition in Al Amerat, Oman, where they defeated Sri Lanka in the final.
Following the Rising Stars Championship, the ACC is also set to organize the Under-19 Asia Cup in December 2025, with further details about venues and fixtures to be announced later.
ACC Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 schedule:
14 November 2025: Pakistan vs Oman
14 November 2025: India vs UAE
15 November 2025: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong
15 November 2025: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
16 November 2025: UAE vs Oman
16 November 2025: India vs Pakistan
17 November 2025: Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong
17 November 2025: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
18 November 2025: Pakistan vs UAE
18 November 2025: India vs Oman
19 November 2025: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong
19 November 2025: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
21 November 2025: Semi-final 1 (A1 vs B2)
21 November 2025: Semi-final 2 (B1 vs A2)
23 November 2025: Final
