The Asia Cup Rising Stars, also known as the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, is an important tournament that showcases young cricket talent from across Asia. Since 2013, this competition has given rising stars a platform to shine before they become international superstars.
Players who perform well in this tournament often go on to represent their senior national teams. The Rising Stars competition helps develop the next generation of Asian cricket heroes.
Pakistan A leads the championship race with 2 titles, while Sri Lanka U23 and India U23 have also tasted success multiple times.
Let’s dig into the complete history of this exciting tournament.
Asia Cup Rising Stars Winners from 2013 to 2026
Here’s the complete list of champions across all seasons:
| Year | Host Nation | Final Venue | Winner | Runner-up | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Oman | Oman Cricket Academy, Muscat | Afghanistan A | Sri Lanka A | Won by 7 wickets |
| 2023 | Sri Lanka | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | Pakistan A | India A | Won by 128 runs |
| 2019 | Bangladesh | Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka | Pakistan U23 | Bangladesh U23 | Won by 77 runs |
| 2018 | Sri Lanka/Pakistan | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | Sri Lanka U23 | India U23 | Won by 3 runs |
| 2017 | Bangladesh | Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram | Sri Lanka U23 | Pakistan U23 | Won by 5 wickets |
| 2013 | Singapore | Kallang Ground, Singapore | India U23 | Pakistan U23 | Won by 9 wickets |
1. Afghanistan A (2024)
Afghanistan A claimed their first Rising Stars title by defeating Sri Lanka A by 7 wickets on October 27, 2024, at Muscat.
Chasing 134, Afghanistan A reached the target in 18.1 overs with ease. Their composed batting display showed the growing strength of Afghan cricket at all levels.
Sri Lanka A posted 133/7 in their 20 overs, but it wasn’t enough to stop Afghanistan’s march to glory. This historic win marked Afghanistan’s emergence as a rising force in Asian cricket.
2. Pakistan A (2023)
Pakistan A captured their second Rising Stars crown with a dominant 128-run victory over India A on July 28, 2023, at Colombo. Batting first, Pakistan A posted a massive 352/8 in 50 overs before bowling out India A for just 224.
This commanding performance showed Pakistan’s depth of young talent. Their explosive batting attack set an imposing total that proved far too much for India A to chase down.
3. Pakistan U23 (2019)
Pakistan U23 claimed their first title in 2019, defeating Bangladesh U23 by 77 runs on July 21, 2019, at Dhaka. Pakistan posted an impressive 301/6 before restricting Bangladesh to 224.
Playing in front of home fans, Bangladesh fought hard but couldn’t match Pakistan’s powerful batting display. Pakistan’s young stars showed they were ready for bigger challenges ahead.
4. Sri Lanka U23 (2018)
Sri Lanka U23 won a thrilling final in 2018, defeating India U23 by just 3 runs on November 11, 2018, at Colombo. Sri Lanka posted 270/7 before holding their nerve as India finished on 267/9.
This nail-biting finish had fans on the edge of their seats. Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept their cool in the final overs to defend what seemed like a modest total. India came agonizingly close but fell short in their chase.
5. Sri Lanka U23 (2017)
Sri Lanka U23 captured their first title in 2017, chasing down 134 with 5 wickets in hand on December 2, 2017, at Chattogram. Pakistan U23 managed only 133 in 42.1 overs before Sri Lanka reached 134/5 in 23.5 overs.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers set up the victory by restricting Pakistan to a low total. Their batsmen then made the chase look easy, reaching the target with plenty of overs to spare.
6. India U23 (2013)
India U23 made history by winning the inaugural Asia Cup Rising Stars in 2013, defeating Pakistan U23 by 9 wickets on May 12, 2013, in Singapore. Chasing 160, India powered home with ease, reaching 160/1 in just 33.4 overs.
India’s dominant batting display set the tone for future tournaments. Pakistan managed 159 but India’s batsmen made light work of the chase, showcasing the talent that would soon shine in international cricket.
Also Read:
Conclusion: Pakistan A Have Won the Most Times with 2 Titles
Pakistan A/U23 stands as the most successful team in Asia Cup Rising Stars history with 2 titles. Sri Lanka U23 follows closely with 2 championships. India U23 and Afghanistan A have each won the trophy once.
What makes the Asia Cup Rising Stars special is its role in developing Asian cricket talent. Young players get valuable experience in high-pressure matches before stepping up to senior international cricket.
The tournament remains an important pathway for young Asian cricketers dreaming of representing their countries on the world stage.
FAQs
Pakistan A/U23 has won the most titles with 2 championships, making them the most successful team in the competition’s history.
The competition started in 2013 as the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup. India U23 won the inaugural tournament in Singapore.
Various Asian cricket teams compete, including teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and other Asian nations. The exact number varies by tournament.
The tournament has been hosted by Singapore (2013), Bangladesh (2017, 2019), Sri Lanka (2018, 2023), and Oman (2024). Multiple countries have shared hosting duties.
The Asia Cup Rising Stars is crucial for developing young talent across Asia, providing high-quality international experience, and preparing players for senior cricket. It’s where future international stars are discovered and nurtured.
