The cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan has always been the stuff of legends, but when their emerging stars take center stage, the stakes feel just as high. On Sunday, November 16, 2025, the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha played host to another chapter in this storied saga as India A locked horns with Pakistan A in the sixth Group B match of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025. With both teams boasting an exciting blend of youth and promise, fans were treated to a contest brimming with anticipation and drama.
India A, led by the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma, arrived with an unchanged XI, reflecting the management’s faith in their young guns. The squad featured some of the most talked-about prospects in Indian cricket, including the explosive 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, fresh off a jaw-dropping 144 off 42 balls against the UAE. Alongside him, Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, and vice-captain Naman Dhir added depth to the batting, while the bowling attack was spearheaded by Gurjapneet Singh, Suyash Sharma, and Yash Thakur.
On the other side, Pakistan A—known as the Pakistan Shaheens in this tournament—were captained by Irfan Khan. Their lineup, too, was filled with talent eager to make a mark. Notably, Maaz Sadaqat, who hammered an unbeaten 96 off 54 balls and took two wickets in their opening win over Oman, and Ubaid Shah, the younger brother of national team pacer Naseem Shah, who impressed with a three-wicket haul on debut. The Shaheens made two changes for this clash, bringing in Shahid Aziz and Sufiyan Muqeem to bolster their bowling options.
The match began with a significant toss: Irfan Khan called correctly and opted to field first, a decision influenced by the pitch’s reputation for favoring chasers under lights. The West End Park surface is renowned for its early bounce and swing, but as the match progresses, it slows down—rewarding batters who can build their innings. Dew in the second innings often tips the balance toward the chasing side, making the toss a crucial factor.
As the national anthems played out, the tension was palpable. India A, continuing the BCCI’s “No Handshake” policy as a gesture of solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, refrained from the customary pre-match handshake. This symbolic move echoed the stance taken in previous India-Pakistan encounters and underscored the off-field context that sometimes accompanies these high-profile clashes.
With the action underway, India A’s openers Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Priyansh Arya strode to the crease. Suryavanshi, already a sensation after equaling Rishabh Pant’s record for the second-fastest T20 hundred by an Indian, wasted no time making his intentions clear. He cracked the first ball for four, setting the tone for a brisk start. Arya, though a bit tentative early on, found his rhythm with a slash over the slips for his first boundary.
The partnership was broken at 30, with Arya falling to a top edge off Shahid Aziz, caught by Ahmed Daniyal at mid-on. But Suryavanshi continued to dominate, peppering the boundary and even clearing the ropes with ease. According to former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, who was on commentary, “he reminds me of Yuvraj Singh from his playing days.” High praise for the teenager, who looked unfazed by the pressure or the opposition’s attempts at mind games, particularly from Ubaid Shah.
Naman Dhir joined Suryavanshi at the crease and quickly made his presence felt. Dhir, who scored 38 in the previous outing, played some clever shots, including a towering six over deep midwicket off Sufiyan Muqeem. The scoreboard ticked over rapidly, with India A reaching 50 in just six overs and 80/2 by the 8.5-over mark. Dhir’s innings, however, ended at 35 when he was caught at extra cover, but not before he had helped build a strong platform.
The Shaheens responded by introducing spin from both ends, with Muqeem and Saad Masood tightening the screws. Yet, the Indian batters, led by Suryavanshi’s fearless strokeplay, kept the momentum going. At the halfway stage, India A looked well on track for a formidable total, with predictions suggesting scores in the range of 255-265 if the batting side kept their foot on the accelerator.
Pakistan A’s bowling attack, featuring Ubaid Shah and Saad Masood—both standouts in their opening win over Oman—fought hard to stem the flow of runs. Ubaid, in particular, has been a revelation, drawing attention not just for his familial ties but for his ability to swing the new ball and strike early. Meanwhile, Maaz Sadaqat’s all-round prowess—he was unbeaten on 96 and picked up two wickets in the previous match—made him one to watch, especially as the Shaheens eyed a chase under lights.
For India A, the stakes were clear: a win would cement their place at the top of the group and virtually guarantee a semifinal berth. The team’s recent form has been nothing short of dominant, with comprehensive victories over the UAE and a string of wins against Pakistan in various formats throughout 2025. In fact, this was the fifth meeting between India and Pakistan across men’s and women’s cricket this year, with India victorious in all previous encounters—including the Asia Cup group stage, Super 4, final, and the ICC Women’s World Cup.
Broadcasting the action, Sony Sports Network provided live coverage across India, while fans could also stream the match on the Sony LIV app and website. The buzz around the contest was amplified by the presence of Suryavanshi, whose exploits at just 14 years of age have already drawn comparisons to established stars. With 409 runs in nine T20s at a staggering strike rate of 240.58 and 41 sixes to his name, he’s quickly becoming the talk of the cricketing world.
As the match progressed, all eyes remained glued to the unfolding drama at West End Park. Would India A’s youthful exuberance and batting firepower carry them to another statement win, or could Pakistan A’s Shaheens spring a surprise with their own rising talents? With the game still in progress and both sides trading blows, fans could only watch and wonder what twists awaited next in this fierce, ever-evolving rivalry.
Regardless of the final result, one thing was certain: the future of cricket in both nations looks dazzlingly bright, with a new generation ready to take the rivalry to even greater heights.
