Pakistan A Opt To Bowl First as India A Continue No-Handshake Policy in Doha Clash
Pakistan A bowls first as India A continues its no-handshake policy in their Asia Cup Rising Stars clash.
India A and Pakistan A are set to reignite one of cricket's fiercest rivalries in the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025, with the Group B clash at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium drawing intense anticipation amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Pakistan A captain Irfan Khan won the toss and elected to bowl first against Jitesh Sharma's India A on Sunday, November 16, 2025, under floodlights starting at 8:00 PM IST. Both teams enter unbeaten after dominant opening wins—India A thrashing UAE by 148 runs, powered by 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi's explosive 144 off 42 balls, while Pakistan A edged Oman by 40 runs thanks to Maaz Sadaqat's all-round heroics of 96 not out and 2 wickets. The match, broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1 in India, underscores the tournament's role in nurturing emerging talent across Asia, with no age restrictions but a focus on under-23 prospects.
The no-handshake policy, instituted by the BCCI following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 28 civilians, will extend to this 'A' team encounter, as confirmed by PTI reports, symbolising solidarity with victims and straining post-match courtesies observed in the senior teams' Asia Cup 2025 clashes earlier this year. India A's batting firepower, led by Suryavanshi and opener Priyansh Arya, aims to exploit Pakistan's pace-heavy attack featuring Ubaid Shah and Khurram Shahzad, while Pakistan's spin duo of Mubasir Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem could challenge on a pitch known for variable bounce at the Qatar venue, which has hosted associate nations' fixtures but rarely high-stakes subcontinental battles. Captain Sharma, deputised by Naman Dhir, emphasised team unity in pre-match comments, drawing from their UAE romp, where he remained unbeaten on 83.
Pakistan A, featuring the dynamic Sadaqat—who also starred in their Hong Kong Sixes triumph last week—brings a balanced side with explosive openers Mohammad Naeem and Yasir Khan, supported by wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori. Irfan Khan's decision to field first leverages early evening dew and potential seam movement, a tactical nod to Oman's failed chase of 221 in their opener. The Shaheens' bowling depth, including young tearaway Ahmed Daniyal, will target India's middle order of Nehal Wadhera and Ramandeep Singh, while all-rounders like Arafat Minhas add versatility. This fixture marks the fifth India-Pakistan men's cricket clash in 2025, following the senior sides' Asia Cup group stage and final encounters, where India prevailed in both, heightening the narrative of dominance.
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As the Rising Stars tournament—revived from its Emerging Asia Cup roots and last won by India A in 2013—progresses toward semifinals on November 20, this matchup could define Group B supremacy alongside UAE and Oman. Suryavanshi, making his international debut against Pakistan, carries the weight of a generation's expectations, blending youthful audacity with senior-like composure. With live streaming on FanCode and JioCinema, fans worldwide tune in for not just scores but the intangible edge of Indo-Pak cricket, where every boundary echoes beyond the boundary rope.
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