India A and Pakistan A will lock horns on Nov 22 at West End Park International Cricket Stadium, a clash that could catapult one side straight into the semi‑finals.
The Asian Cricket Council announced the schedule this week, pairing the two powerhouses in Group B alongside Nepal and the UAE. India A opens against Nepal on Nov 20, then faces Pakistan A two days later, before closing the group with a showdown against the UAE on Nov 24.
In 2025, India A skated to a 148‑run win over the UAE, only to fall by eight wickets to Pakistan A a fortnight later. Pakistan A, meanwhile, went on to lift the trophy, edging Sri Lanka A by five runs in the semi‑final and defeating Bangladesh A in a tiebreaker.
With the group stage still a mile away, both sides will be sharpening their lines. India’s captain Jitesh Sharma and all‑rounder Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will spearhead the attack, while Pakistan’s bowlers will aim to stifle the Indian batting storm. The stakes are clear: a win could secure a top‑two spot and a straight path to the semi‑finals, while a loss might force a precarious tie‑breaker.
The Rising Asia Cup will culminate on Nov 29, so every run and wicket in this Group B encounter carries weight. The next big battle for India A will come after their Nov 20 win—over Nepal—while Pakistan A will be looking to regroup after the early setback.