Another edition of the Asia Cup is just around the corner, and once again, all eyes are on Mohsin Naqvi and the much-anticipated trophy presentation saga between India and Pakistan. This tournament, now called the Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship (previously known as the Emerging Asia Cup), will showcase eight teams: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, the UAE, and Hong Kong. The event is set to take place in Doha, Qatar, from November 14 to 23. The five Test-playing nations in the region India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka are expected to send their A squads, while the other three countries will field their senior teams. The championship will be played in a T20 format, featuring a total of 15 matches. India finds itself in Group A with Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE, while Group B includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. Unlike the traditional Asia Cup, this competition will skip the Super Four stage. Instead, the top two teams from each group will move directly to the semifinals, culminating in the final on November 23. This setup allows for a maximum of two potential India-Pakistan clashes. Also Read | Abhishek Nayar Named Kolkata Knight Riders Head Coach for IPL 2026 Afghanistan enters the tournament as the defending champion, having triumphed over India A, led by Tilak Varma, in the semifinals and Sri Lanka A in the final of the last edition held in Oman in October 2024. The previous Indian squad featured players like Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Chahar, Prabhsimran Singh, Sai Kishore, and Anshul Kamboj. For this year's championship, reports indicate that Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre are likely to be part of the India A squad, with the official announcement from the BCCI expected soon. Following the Rising Stars event, another Asia Cup is scheduled for December, this time focusing on the Under-19 teams from the continent. While the exact dates and venue are still to be confirmed, it is anticipated to take place in the Gulf region as a 50-over competition. The lingering question remains whether Mohsin Naqvi will once again take charge of the trophy presentation.