Doha (Qatar), Nov 14 (NationPress) The captains of India 'A', Jitseh Sharma, and Pakistan, Irfan Khan, believe that a score of '160' is a fair benchmark for the upcoming Asia Cup Rising Stars, commencing this Friday. They acknowledged the unpredictability of T20 matches but agreed that conditions favor the batsmen, indicating that hitters will thrive during this tournament.

On Friday, India 'A' will clash with the UAE in the day's second match at West End Stadium in Asia Town, while Pakistan will kick off their tournament against Oman on the same day. The competition features defending champions Afghanistan, along with Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Bangladesh, making it an exciting eight-team event hosted in Doha for the first time by the Qatar Cricket Association (QCA).

Sharma, who has represented India in 12 T20Is, stated on Thursday, “We have collected data from previous games played here, with scores typically hovering around 150–160.” He further noted, “Based on this, we are preparing, anticipating that the wickets will behave like standard Asian pitches.”

However, Sharma also remarked, “T20 is an unpredictable game – you never know what challenges you will encounter. We must adapt as the game unfolds, but we are aware that pitches may prove difficult if scores remain around 150–160.”

On whether stronger batting or bowling teams would prevail in Doha, he shared with Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) on Thursday: “I believe batsmen win matches, but bowlers win tournaments. The team that excels in bowling will likely secure the championship. We are fortunate to have an outstanding support staff, media team, and video analysts.”

Meanwhile, Khan, aged 22, indicated that his team has analyzed the playing conditions in Doha, where their first match will occur during the day on Friday. “We have sufficient information regarding the conditions. We adapt our strategy based on our opponents. You will witness our performance when we take the field. We believe a target of 160-170 runs is solid for defense. If we bowl effectively, we can defend it well,” Khan, who has played 9 ODIs and 14 T20Is for Pakistan, stated.

Khan expressed confidence in his team, emphasizing that players understand their roles well. “I don’t need to micromanage as a captain; my players take responsibility. They are eager to perform, and the atmosphere in the dressing room is excellent. Expect strong results,” he added. “We have balanced combinations in batting, bowling, and fielding.”

Regarding the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match on Sunday, Khan said, “Our focus is solely on Friday's match against Oman. We feel no pressure and trust our abilities, allowing our instincts to guide us during the match.”

Sharma expressed similar sentiments: “We are not fixated on any specific game. All three league matches are crucial, leading up to the semi-final and final. We must respect all teams and play fair cricket.”

Sri Lanka's captain, Dunith Wellalage, commented on Thursday, “Having finished as runners-up last time, we understand what it takes to advance in a tournament. The conditions in Qatar closely resemble those at home, instilling confidence. Our focus is simple: minimize mistakes, adhere to our plans, and aim to perform our best in every game.”

Wellalage, who has played 1 Test and 31 ODIs for Sri Lanka, continued: “I have been with most of these players since the Under-19 level for over three years, ensuring strong team cohesion. We respect every opponent, but we have faith in our squad. The training environment has been excellent, and we intend to capitalize on these conditions.”

“I appreciate the Asian Cricket Council and Qatar for hosting this event,” the 22-year-old Sri Lankan captain said.

A standout player to watch is Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 14-year-old Indian left-handed batsman from Bihar, who is part of the India 'A' squad. This prodigy, who plays for Bihar in domestic cricket and represents the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, made history this year by becoming the youngest player in the T20 franchise league and scored a remarkable 35-ball century against the Gujarat Titans, making him the youngest and fastest Indian centurion in the league's history.

Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 Groups

Group A: Afghanistan A, Sri Lanka A, Bangladesh A, Hong Kong

Group B: India A, Pakistan Shaheens, UAE, Oman