Left-arm spin all-rounder Dunith Wellalage has been appointed captain of Sri Lanka A for the upcoming Rising Stars T20 Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to begin on November 14 in Doha, Qatar. Meanwhile, defending champions Afghanistan A (AfghanAbdalyan) will be led by Darwish Rasooli, who successfully guided the team to their maiden title in the previous edition.
According to a statement from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the National Selection Committee finalized the 15-member AfghanAbdalyan squad on Wednesday. “Darwish Rasooli, who captained the team to their inaugural title last year, will once again lead the side,” the ACB announced.
The Afghanistan squad retains 10 players from last year’s victorious lineup, including Sediqullah Atal, AM Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami, Zubaid Akbari, Mohammad Ishaq, Qais Ahmad, and Nangyal Kharoti.
Pacer Abdullah Ahmadzai, who recently made his T20I debut during the series against Zimbabwe, has also been included in the team.
Afghanistan A have been placed in Pool B alongside Sri Lanka A, Bangladesh A, and Hong Kong, China. Their campaign begins on November 15 against Sri Lanka A, followed by fixtures against Bangladesh A (Nov 17) and Hong Kong, China (Nov 19).
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said, “AfghanAbdalyan have emerged victorious in the previous edition of the event and will be defending their title during this year’s event in Doha. We cherish the memories from last year and are confident the team will make the nation proud once again.”
Afghanistan’s Squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025:
Darwish Rasooli (C), Sediqullah Atal (VC), Noor Rahman (WK), Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Zubaid Akbari, Imran Mir, Rahmanullah Zadran, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Nangyal Kharoti, Farmanullah Safi, Qais Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Faridoon Dawoodzai.
Reserves: Wafiullah Tarakhil, Sediqullah Pacha, Yama Arab.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka A Squad Led by Wellalage
For Sri Lanka A, captain Dunith Wellalage will be joined by leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, all-rounders Ramesh Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, and top-order batters Nuwanidu Fernando and Nishan Madushka.
Although most players are yet to cement places in Sri Lanka’s senior team, several, including Wellalage, Nuwanidu, and Madushka, have made notable appearances in recent white-ball matches. Rathnayake also featured in Sri Lanka’s Test series against Bangladesh earlier this year.
Emerging talent Vishen Halambage, a 20-year-old batting all-rounder awaiting his international debut, has also been named in the squad.
Sri Lanka A Squad:
Dunith Wellalage (capt.), Vishen Halambage, Nishan Madushka (wk), Nuwanidu Fernando, Lasith Croospulle, Ramesh Mendis, Kavindu de Livera, Sahan Arachchige, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Pramod Madushan, Garuka Sanketh, Isitha Wijesundara, Milan Rathnayake, V Viyaskanth, Traveen Mathew.
🌏 Tournament Format
The Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 will feature teams from across Asia divided into two groups:
- Group A: Afghanistan A, Bangladesh A, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka A
- Group B: India A, Oman A, Pakistan A, UAE A
The tournament will commence with a clash between Pakistan A and Oman A. Sri Lanka A will open their campaign against Afghanistan A on November 15.