Asia Cup 2025

The Eight Contenders

The tournament featured eight teams split into two groups, combining the ‘A’ sides of the Asian Big Five with the best of the Associate cricketing landscape.

The structure was designed to ensure a mix of intense contests and valuable exposure for all participants. Group B, featuring the highly anticipated rivalry between India A and Pakistan A, immediately garnered the most attention, though the defending champions Afghanistan A in Group A were equally formidable.

Group Stage Highlights and Emerging Talent

The group stages were a showcase of individual brilliance and team tenacity. In Group B, India A, captained by the experienced wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, demonstrated their depth, securing commanding victories. Young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, making his debut in the ‘A’ setup at just 14, impressed with his calm demeanor and technical skill, living up to the considerable hype surrounding him. Their match against Pakistan A was the expected thriller, with the result often hinging on a few key moments, ultimately allowing India A to top their group.

Meanwhile, in Group A, Afghanistan A—the previous year’s champions—cemented their reputation with their fast bowlers and dynamic batsmen, including Darwish Rasooli, who continued to be a mainstay of their side. However, Sri Lanka A proved their strongest challengers, with spin wizardry from players like Dunith Wellalage and a solid top-order ensuring they progressed with equal authority. The Associate nations, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong, while facing stiff competition, played crucial roles. UAE and Oman, having qualified via the 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup, put in commendable performances, particularly against the ‘A’ teams, highlighting the growing strength of Associate cricket in the region.

Thrilling Knockouts and The Grand Finale, Asia Cup 2025

The semi-finals provided two gripping encounters. In the first semi-final, the winner of Group A faced the runner-up of Group B, while the second semi-final saw the runner-up of Group A take on the Group B winner. These matches effectively separated the top performers, setting the stage for a dramatic final showdown.

The Grand Final on Sunday, November 23, at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha, was the ultimate spectacle. The match, played under floodlights, pitted the best of the tournament against each other in a battle for Asian supremacy among emerging players. The atmosphere was electric, a fitting climax for a tournament designed to unearth and polish the next set of international stars.

The winner of the 2025 title demonstrated not just skill but the composure needed at the highest level, making a powerful statement about their readiness for senior international cricket. The tournament’s primary success lay not only in crowning a champion but in the exposure it gave to players, many of whom are now firmly on the radar of their respective national selectors for the upcoming cycles of international cricket. The DP World Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars once again solidified its position as the vital stepping stone for Asian cricket talent.