Naqvi in spotlight as Pakistan A clinch third Asia Cup Rising Stars title in Doha

Doha (Qatar): Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi was in the spotlight on Sunday, November 23, as Pakistan A became the first team to win the Asia Cup Rising Stars title for a third time. Irfan Khan Niazi’s side beat Akbar Ali’s Bangladesh A in a dramatic final at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha, with the match ultimately decided by a tense Super Over.

Bangladesh, hoping to claim their maiden title, pushed Pakistan all the way before falling short in the high-pressure finish. Naqvi, who watched the match from the stands, was repeatedly shown on camera reacting enthusiastically as the momentum shifted between the two sides. After Pakistan clinched victory, he presented the trophy to the winning captain.

His involvement in the ceremony also brought back memories of a controversy earlier in the year. During the 2025 Asia Cup final in September at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Naqvi had declined to hand the trophy to India following their win over Pakistan. India had requested that the Emirates Cricket Board’s vice-chairman present the trophy instead, but Naqvi insisted on performing the honours himself. The Indian players refused to take part, leading to the abrupt cancellation of the ceremony and the trophy being removed from the field. Naqvi, who is also president of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), later said India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, could collect the trophy from the ACC office in Dubai.

Also read: Naqvi celebrated as “hero” by Pak media for his handling of Asia Cup trophy 

Maaz Sadaqat top run-scorer, Suryavanshi close second

Pakistan Shaheens secured this year’s Rising Stars crown after the final ended in a tie and went to a Super Over. Pacer Ahmed Daniyal produced the decisive spell, giving his side the edge.

The Shaheens entered the final buoyed by a narrow five-run win over Sri Lanka A in the semi-final, where they successfully defended 154. Bangladesh A had also come through a tight contest, defeating Jitesh Sharma’s India A in a Super Over after both teams scored 194.

In the final, Bangladesh A won the toss and elected to field. Pakistan struggled for stability, losing wickets regularly and slipping to 75 for 6 in 14.2 overs. Saad Masood top-scored with 38 off 26 balls, striking three fours and three sixes. His 41-run stand for the seventh wicket with Shahid Aziz (9) pushed Pakistan beyond the 100-run mark. Ripon Mondol, instrumental in Bangladesh’s semi-final win, impressed again with 3 for 25, while Rakibul Hasan delivered an economical 2 for 16 from four overs.

Bangladesh batted first in the Super Over, but their innings lasted just three legal deliveries. Daniyal took two wickets and conceded only six runs—five of them extras—effectively sealing their fate. Saad then struck the winning runs, confirming Pakistan’s triumph.

Pakistan’s Maaz Sadaqat finished as the tournament’s top run-scorer with 258 runs from five innings at an average of 129.00 and a strike rate above 177, including two fifties and a highest score of 96 not out. India’s emerging 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi followed with 239 runs in four innings at an average of 59.25, a strike rate of 243.87 and a top score of 144.

Ripon Mondol was the leading wicket-taker, claiming 11 scalps in five matches at an average of 12.27, with best figures of 3 for 10. Pakistan spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, who has played four ODIs and 19 T20Is for the senior team, finished second with 10 wickets at an outstanding average of 5.90 and best figures of 3 for 11.

(With ANI inputs)