Doha to Host ACC Men's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 with Eight Teams

Doha will host the ACC Men's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 from 19 to 29 November, with eight teams competing for the continental title in one of the Asian Cricket Council's (ACC) most prominent tournaments.

Organised by the Qatar Cricket Association under the supervision of the Asian Cricket Council, matches will be played at West End International Cricket Stadium and the University of Doha for Science and Technology ground. The participating teams will be divided into two groups playing a single round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Group One comprises Pakistan Shaheens, India A, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates, while Group Two includes Sri Lanka A, Bangladesh A, Afghanistan A and Hong Kong, China.

The tournament features A teams from four of Asia's leading cricket nations, alongside the national teams of Nepal, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong, China, which will compete for the title. Nepal and the United Arab Emirates secured qualification through the ACC Men's Premier Cup, held in Malaysia during August and September.

The tournament begins on 19 November with two matches: Bangladesh A will face Hong Kong, China at the University of Doha for Science and Technology ground, while Sri Lanka A will meet Afghanistan A at West End International Cricket Stadium.

The group stage continues on 20 November with Pakistan Shaheens facing the United Arab Emirates and India A playing Nepal. On 21 November, Sri Lanka A will meet Hong Kong, China, while Bangladesh A will face Afghanistan A.

Attention will turn on 22 November to the highly anticipated match between Pakistan Shaheens and India A at West End International Cricket Stadium, a contest of particular significance given the historic rivalry between the two teams and the considerable public interest their encounters attract. The United Arab Emirates and Nepal will meet on the same day at the University of Doha for Science and Technology ground.

The competition continues on 23 November with Afghanistan A facing Hong Kong, China and Sri Lanka A meeting Bangladesh A. The group stage concludes on 24 November with India A playing the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan Shaheens facing Nepal, after which the four semi-finalists will be determined.

The two semi-finals are scheduled for 26 and 27 November at West End International Cricket Stadium. The winner of Group One will face the runner-up from Group Two in the first match, while the second will bring together the winner of Group Two and the runner-up from Group One.

The tournament concludes on 29 November with the final at the same venue, where the two semi-final winners will compete to determine the champion of the latest edition of the Asia Cup Rising Stars.

Doha's hosting of this continental event reinforces its position as a destination for international championships and competitions, supported by its advanced sports facilities and infrastructure and its organisational expertise in staging major events.

Source: QNA

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