Pakistan A to Face India A on November 22 as Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 Schedule Announced
The Asian Cricket Council has announced the full schedule for the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026, with Pakistan A set to face India A on November 22 in Doha. The Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 will run from November 19 to 29 in Qatar, and Pakistan A will enter the event as defending champions.
Pakistan A won the 2025 edition, which was also held in Qatar. This time the format changes. The 2025 event used the 20-over format, while the 2026 tournament will be played as 50-over cricket, a shift that puts a fresh test on the young squads.
Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026: groups, venues and dates
Eight teams will take part, split into two groups of four. Group A has Sri Lanka A, Bangladesh A, Afghanistan A and Hong Kong. Group B has Pakistan A, India A, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Each team will play the other three teams in its group once. Twelve group matches are set for November 19 to 24, with two matches played each day. The top two teams from each group will reach the semi-finals, set for November 26 and 27. The final will be played on November 29.
Two venues in Doha will host the matches: the West End Park International Cricket Stadium and the University of Doha for Science and Technology Cricket Ground. Pakistan A will open against the UAE on November 20, then face India A on November 22 at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium. Their last group match, against Nepal, is set for November 24.
The full group schedule is:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| November 19 | Bangladesh A vs Hong Kong |
| November 19 | Sri Lanka A vs Afghanistan A |
| November 20 | Pakistan A vs UAE |
| November 20 | India A vs Nepal |
| November 21 | Sri Lanka A vs Hong Kong |
| November 21 | Bangladesh A vs Afghanistan A |
| November 22 | UAE vs Nepal |
| November 22 | India A vs Pakistan A |
| November 23 | Afghanistan A vs Hong Kong |
| November 23 | Sri Lanka A vs Bangladesh A |
| November 24 | India A vs UAE |
| November 24 | Pakistan A vs Nepal |
Why the Pakistan A vs India A date matters
A Pakistan A against India A match always draws attention, even at age-group and second-team level. It falls midway through the group stage, after both sides have played once, so form will already be on show. For Pakistan A, the match also sits between the UAE opener and the Nepal closer, which means the group could still be wide open when the two sides meet.
The 2026 event is the second edition played under the Asia Cup Rising Stars name. It is the eighth edition in total when earlier tournaments played under the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup title are counted. That history gives the event weight: it has long served as a proving ground for players pushing for senior selection.
What this means for Pakistan cricket
Pakistan A arrive with a title to defend and a format change to handle. The move to 50-over cricket rewards patience with the bat and control with the ball, skills that matter far more in the longer white-ball game. A strong run in Doha would also keep the spotlight on the next group of Pakistan players at a time when the senior side is in the middle of a home tri-series.
At home, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has backed Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman for the tri-series decider against England, while Salman Ali Agha has returned to the Test squad for the home series against Sri Lanka. The Rising Stars event sits in that same pipeline, giving fringe players a stage before the senior selectors make their next calls. In other cricket, the Presidents Trophy final has moved to Lahore Gymkhana, and Mohammad Naqvi met the players ahead of the Lahore leg of the tri-series.
Frequently asked questions
When will Pakistan A play India A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026?
Pakistan A will face India A on November 22 at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha.
Where will the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 be played?
The tournament will be played in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to 29, at two venues: the West End Park International Cricket Stadium and the University of Doha for Science and Technology Cricket Ground.
What format will the 2026 tournament use?
The 2026 edition will use the 50-over format. The 2025 edition, won by Pakistan A, used the 20-over format.
When is the final?
The final is set for November 29, after semi-finals on November 26 and 27.
Source: ProPakistani.
