Pakistan, India announce strong squads for Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026

Pakistan and India have unveiled strong 15-member squads for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026.

The 50-over tournament will be held in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to 29, with both teams drawn in Group B alongside Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Defending champions Pakistan Shaheens will be led by Abdul Samad, while India A have appointed batting all-rounder Tilak Varma as their captain.

Who will lead Pakistan Shaheens in the tournament?

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named an experienced and promising squad as the Shaheens prepare to defend their 50-over title.

Abdul Samad will captain the side, with Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Haider Ali, Shahzaib Khan, Farhan Yousuf and Shamyl Hussain providing depth to the batting department. Wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir has also been included in the 15-member squad.

The spin-bowling responsibilities will be shared by all-rounder Danish Aziz, leg-spinner Saad Masood and Sufyan Moqim.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Hasnain will spearhead the pace attack, which also features Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed and Muhammad Imran Randhawa.

What makes India's squad a strong challenge for Pakistan?

India A have also assembled a formidable lineup, featuring several players with senior international and Indian Premier League experience.

Tilak Varma will captain the team, while Rajat Patidar, who has led his franchise to consecutive IPL titles, has been appointed vice-captain.

The batting lineup includes T20I regulars Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh, alongside teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh.

Harshit Rana, who has been out of competitive action since July because of an injury, has also secured a place in the squad. He is expected to lead India's fast-bowling department, supported by Prince Yadav and all-rounder Suryansh Shedge.

When will Pakistan and India face each other?

The two arch-rivals are scheduled to meet in a potentially decisive Group B encounter on November 22.

Pakistan will open their campaign against the UAE on November 20 before taking on India A two days later. Their final group-stage fixture will be against Nepal on November 24.

India A, meanwhile, will begin their campaign against Nepal on November 20 before facing Pakistan and subsequently the UAE.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 26 and 27, while the tournament final will be played on November 29.

What is Pakistan's record in the Asia Cup Rising Stars?

Pakistan Shaheens enter the competition as defending champions, having won the previous 50-over edition in 2023 in Sri Lanka.

They defeated India A by a commanding 128-run margin in the final to secure the trophy. In the most recent edition, which was played in the T20 format, Pakistan retained their dominance by overcoming Bangladesh A in a dramatic final that went into a Super Over.

Pakistan finished runners-up in the inaugural 2013 tournament and again in 2017 before lifting the title in 2019.

Pakistan Shaheens squad: Abdul Samad (captain), Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Danish Aziz, Farhan Yousuf, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Imran Randhawa, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Saad Masood, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Sufyan Moqim.

India A squad: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (captain), Rajat Patidar (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper), Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav and Arshad Khan.