Pakistan and Oman will host the inaugural tournament of the ACC Rising Stars Tournament 2025 in Doha, Qatar, on November 14, 2025, marking the debut of a new and promising developmental cricket tournament in Asia.
The tournament is being organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) with a prospect on T20 cricket, being the first to feature emerging and established cricketing nations in this continent.
Not even two days afterward, a marquee game between India and Pakistan is set to be played on November 16, contributing to the excitement of the opening week of the tournament.
Tournament Structure and Format of ACC Rising Stars Tournament
The 2025 ACC Rising Stars Tournament will include eight teams divided into two groups:
- Group A: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka
- Group B: India, Oman, Pakistan, UAE
The tournament, previously known as the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, will now be played entirely in the T20 format, with each team playing three group matches. Two matches will be held daily from November 14 to 19, with the semi-finals scheduled for November 21 and the final for November 23.
The dueling formats will ensure a sense of competition and provide participants with much-needed exposure as they prepare to represent Asia in the international arena, filling the gap between domestic and marquee nation representation.
Rebranded but Familiar in Spirit
The competition’s new title—the ACC Rising Stars Tournament—fits with the ACC’s broader vision to develop emerging talent while expanding the opportunities for Associate members. The tournament was introduced in 2013 and initially started as an Under-23 tournament, later transitioning to an ‘A’ team tournament. Through six tournaments, several players who have gone on to become international stars have participated, including Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan), Shubman Gill (India), and Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka).
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have both won the title! Twice, India and Afghanistan have won it. Afghanistan is the defending champion, having defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the 2024 final in Oman.
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Pakistan A vs Oman: Opening Clash Preview of the ACC Rising Stars Tournament
The inaugural match for the ACC Rising Stars Tournament 2025 will feature Pakistan A competing against Oman at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan A, known as the Shaheens, comes into the tournament with a well-rounded team that features a lot of youth and raw pace. They have players who are on the fringes of national selection to the senior team, as well as some players who have stood out in the Pakistan Super League. For the management, this tournament serves as an opportunity with a view to the future.
Oman, meanwhile, is entering the tournament with its complete national side. They may be considered the underdog in a group that also includes India and the UAE, but their experience in the Gulf conditions could help them. The dry, abrasive nature of the surfaces in Doha typically favors spinners and seamers, who can exploit reverse swing.
India vs Pakistan: The Blockbuster Fixture
The clash between India and Pakistan, pencilled in for November 16, is already generating intrigue as the headline match at the ACC Rising Stars Tournament. This will be the first men’s clash between the two sides since the 2025 Asia Cup, which concluded on a controversial note as India declined to receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Regardless, this fixture gives both of these A-teams a new opportunity to restart their cricket rivalry in neutral conditions. For supporters, it is not just a sporting event; it is a demonstration of the next generation of subcontinental cricket talent.
Complete Schedule — ACC Rising Stars Tournament 2025
- November 14: Oman vs Pakistan; India vs UAE
- November 15: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong; Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka
- November 16: Oman vs UAE; India vs Pakistan
- November 17: Hong Kong vs Sri Lanka; Afghanistan vs Bangladesh
- November 18: Pakistan vs UAE; India vs Oman
- November 19: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong; Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
- November 21: Semi-finals — A1 vs B2; B1 vs A2
- November 23: Final — West End Park, Doha
Why Does It Matter?
More than just a developmental competition, the ACC Rising Stars Tournament 2025 sends a clear message from Asian cricket’s governing body.
With multiple countries investing significantly in youth systems and ‘A’ team tours. Moreover, it reinforces the regional cricket calendar, ensuring continuity between senior tournaments (like the Asia Cup) and entry-level tournaments (like the ACC U-19 Asia Cup).
Final Word
The ACC Rising Stars Tournament is a blend of competitiveness, opportunity, and sustenance —a rare event where the future stars of the cricketing elite in Asia converge on the same field.
As Pakistan and Oman start the tournament, the arena is already prepared to see a week full of tense matches, new heroes, and maybe a little surprise or two – evidence that the new generation of Asian cricket is right at the entrance.
Amit Mishra’s Take:
The ACC Rising Stars tournament 2025 will be inaugurated on November 14 in Doha, Qatar, and the first match will feature Pakistan against Oman. The tournament will have the launch of the premier developmental T20 format tournament in Asia.
Eight teams will participate in the competition, formerly known as the Emerging Teams Asia Cup: five teams from the A category (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan), and three teams from the Associate category (Oman, UAE, Hong Kong). The tournament consists of two sets of matches per day, from November 14 to November 19, a semi-final day on November 21, and a final on November 23.
The most expected game of the ACC Rising Stars is probably the match between India and Pakistan, which will take place on November 16.
FAQs
1. When does the ACC Rising Stars Tournament 2025 begin?
November 14, 2025, in Doha, Qatar.
2. Which teams are participating in the ACC Rising Stars Tournament?
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, India, Oman, Pakistan, and the UAE.
3. Who won the last edition of the tournament?
Afghanistan won the 2024 edition, beating Sri Lanka by seven wickets.
4. When will India and Pakistan play each other?
November 16, 2025, at West End Park, Doha.
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