Cricket fans across the globe are gearing up for the resumption of the sport’s most fiercely contested rivalry as India A and Pakistan A prepare to face off in the 2026 Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament in Doha, Qatar. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has officially scheduled the high-octane Group B blockbuster for Sunday, November 22, 2026. Spanning from November 19 to November 29, the premier continental development showcase features eight regional teams competing in a 50-over format, pitting rising international prospects against established Associate nations. With qualification paths narrowing quickly in the group stages, this marquee fixture will play a critical role in shaping the knockout bracket.
Tournament Architecture: 8 Teams, 2 Groups, and Doha’s 10-Day Fixture Window
The tournament structure brings together the top developmental squads from Asian Test-playing boards alongside leading Associate nations:
Group Breakdown: The eight competing teams are split into two groups of four. Group A features Sri Lanka A, Bangladesh A, Afghanistan A, and the senior national side of Hong Kong. Group B features India A, Pakistan A, Nepal, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Opening Fixture: The 10-day tournament opens in Doha on November 19 with a Group A clash between Bangladesh A and Hong Kong.
Format and Progression: Played under 50-over List-A parameters, each squad plays three round-robin group fixtures. The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals on November 26 and 27, leading to the grand final on November 29.
Group B Matchdays: Team India’s Route to the Arch-Rival Showdown
India A’s path through the group phase features three consecutive challenges:
Opening Match Against Nepal: Team India begins its campaign on Friday, November 20, taking on Nepal. Pakistan A also opens on November 20 against the UAE.
The Marquee Clash on November 22: The India A vs. Pakistan A showdown begins at 3:30 PM IST (1:00 PM local Qatar time) on Sunday, November 22.
Closing Group Fixtures: India A completes its preliminary round against the UAE on November 24, while Pakistan A closes out against Nepal on the same day.
Potential Knockout Rematch: The Path to an India-Pakistan Final
The tournament layout leaves open the possibility of a second encounter between the two rivals:
Semifinal Crossover: If both India A and Pakistan A claim the top two qualifying spots in Group B, they will head into separate semifinals against the top two finishers from Group A.
Potential Title Rematch: If both squads win their respective semifinal matchups, the tournament will set up a rematch for the championship trophy in the Doha final on November 29.
High-Stakes Rivalry: Matches between India and Pakistan at the developmental level frequently generate intense viewership, serving as a proving ground for players on the brink of senior international selection.
Chasing a Second Crown: India Looks to Improve Historical Tournament Record
Despite its depth in domestic cricket, India enters the competition looking to reverse a lean historical record in this event:
One Title in Seven Editions: Since the tournament’s inaugural edition in Singapore in 2013, India has captured the trophy just once across seven stagings, leaving the team determined to secure a second title this year.
Title Defense: Defending champions Pakistan Shaheens (Pakistan A), who won the previous title in Doha, will look to retain their continental crown.
Squad Announcement Pending: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to finalize and release the official India A roster in the coming days, selecting prominent performers from domestic competitions and the IPL.