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The announcement of the upcoming Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship, which was formerly known as the Emerging Asia Cup, is already overshadowed by controversy stemming from the previous edition. The lingering question remains whether Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi will be involved in the trophy presentation if India secures the title again. All eyes are fixed on Naqvi, who reportedly still retains possession of the trophy from the last tournament, while the Indian team, recognized as the rightful champions, continues to wait for its official handover.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi to feature in Asia Cup Rising Stars amidst Mohsin Naqvi controversy
This situation fuels speculation that the upcoming edition may face its own set of controversies, ranging from the trophy presentation logistics to even the customary post-match handshakes between rivals India and Pakistan. Despite the off-field drama, the tournament is set to feature a strong competition. All eight teams that participated in last month’s main Asia Cup in the UAE—India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, the UAE, and Hong Kong—will compete once more, with the highly anticipated grouping of India and Pakistan confirmed yet again.
The composition of the teams for the rebranded tournament has also been clarified. The five Asian Test-playing nations—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka—will field their 'A' teams, allowing promising players like star batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi to feature. In contrast, the remaining three participating nations—the UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong—will send their full-strength senior squads to compete in the Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship.
Schedule and Format for Asia Cup Rising Stars
The Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship is set to take place in Doha, Qatar, running from November 14 to November 23. The entire 15-game event will be contested in the fast-paced T20 format, providing a competitive environment for young and emerging players. The tournament's group stage mirrors the recent main Asia Cup lineup, with India and Pakistan grouped alongside Oman and the UAE, while the second pool features Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
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A significant structural change for this edition is the absence of a Super Four stage. This adjustment means that the two rivals, India and Pakistan, can face each other a maximum of only twice during the tournament—once in the group stage and potentially again in the knockout round. The structure is straightforward: the top two teams from each of the two groups will progress directly to the semifinals, with the final championship match scheduled for November 23.
In total, the 10-day tournament will feature 15 games. According to reports, the team selection for this year's event is complete, confirming the participation of young talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The full squad for the Indian side is expected to be formally announced by the BCCI soon.
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