Pakistan ride high after dominant win over India A
Pakistan’s cricketing fortunes soared over the weekend as the Pakistan Shaheens secured a commanding eight-wicket win over India A in Doha to reach the Rising Stars Asia Cup semi-finals. The match marked a rare win for a Pakistan side over India in recent times and drew emphatic praise from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
“What a proud moment for Pakistan and for the Board today! Our Pakistan Shaheens defeated India A by 8 wickets, chasing down the target in 13.2 runs. A dominant, fearless, and unforgettable performance in the Asia Cup Rising Stars Tournament in Doha. Superb cricket by our young guns, the future of Pakistan is shining bright. Congratulations to the nation!” Naqvi said in a statement on X.
What a proud moment for Pakistan and for the Board today! 🇵🇰✨
Our Pakistan Shaheens defeated India A by 8 wickets, chasing down the target in just 13.2 overs.
A dominant, fearless and unforgettable performance in the Asia Cup Rising Stars Tournament in Doha.
Superb cricket by… pic.twitter.com/ZmnAtXQhKA— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) November 16, 2025
Put in to bat, India A made a blazing start through Vaibhav Suryavanshi (45 off 28) and Naman Dhir (35 off 20), but a dramatic middle-order collapse saw them bundled out for 136 in just 19 overs. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Shahid Aziz, Saad Masood, and Maaz Sadaqat, turned the tide by claiming eight wickets for just 35 runs in the final ten overs.
In response, Pakistan raced to the target in only 13.2 overs, thanks largely to an unbeaten 79 from Sadaqat, who continued his rich form from earlier games. His aggressive strokeplay and calm finish took Pakistan to victory with 40 balls to spare. Despite the fiery on-field contest, both teams exited the field without the customary handshake — continuing a diplomatic freeze carried over from recent senior-level encounters.
Pakistan men sweep Sri Lanka, acknowledge India win
On the same day, the senior Pakistan team capped off a successful home series by defeating Sri Lanka 3-0 in Rawalpindi. Led by Shaheen Afridi, the hosts chased down 212 with six wickets in hand and 32 balls remaining, showcasing both depth and balance within the squad.
“Winning the series, really happy for that. Everyone played a good role in the previous series against South Africa and in this one as well. The rotation policy is working well for us, and the entire squad is ready to contribute at any stage,” Shaheen said during the post-match presentation.
He also highlighted the standout performers in the bowling department: “Faisal bowled really well, and it was great to see Wasim come back after injury and earn his first Player of the Match award. Special mention to Haris Rauf as well.”
In a noteworthy moment, Afridi referenced the earlier victory in Doha: “Pakistan Shaheens won against our neighbours, so that’s a big achievement for us,” he added during the press conference — underlining the significance of the A team’s win in the broader narrative of Pakistan cricket’s upward trajectory.
Trophy drama looms over Rising Stars Asia Cup final
While Pakistan’s on-field performances have created momentum, off-field tensions could once again come to the forefront. According to Geo News, concerns are growing within the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that the final of the Rising Stars Asia Cup — set for November 23 in Doha — may be overshadowed by a repeat of the trophy-related standoff that marred the conclusion of the senior Asia Cup earlier this year.
Sources told Geo News on Sunday that ACC President Mohsin Naqvi will attend the final as chief guest. With India A expected to reach the final — possibly against Pakistan Shaheens again — fears have emerged that a similar controversy could erupt. In September, the Indian team had refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy directly from Naqvi at the closing ceremony, leading to the trophy being left unclaimed and still in ACC custody.
The ACC has gone ahead with full ceremony preparations this time, but whether the event proceeds without tension remains uncertain. The BCCI had already escalated the previous trophy handover dispute to the International Cricket Council, and an Indian media report confirmed that the board had refused to collect the trophy from ACC President Naqvi. A BCCI source said, “We will not accept his response regarding the trophy handover.”
With another India-Pakistan final looming, and Naqvi’s presence confirmed, the closing ceremony could once again become a flashpoint — unless cooler heads prevail and the focus remains on cricket.
Final thoughts: Momentum meets uncertainty
Pakistan’s dual victories — the Shaheens’ bold statement in Doha and the senior team’s clinical display at home — have come at a critical juncture. Both teams are firing on all cylinders, and morale is high. But as the Rising Stars Asia Cup final approaches, cricket fans across the subcontinent will be watching not just for the cricketing spectacle, but for signs of whether the region’s off-field diplomatic chill will cast another shadow over the game.
