When the final ball of the DP World Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 semi-final sailed past the boundary rope, the crowd in Colombo fell silent — not in celebration, but in disbelief. Pakistan 'A' had just held off a determined Sri Lanka 'A' side by five runs, sealing their spot in the championship match against Bangladesh. The match, played on November 21, 2025, under the watchful eyes of the Asian Cricket Council, wasn’t pretty. But it was tense. And it mattered.
Then came Trevvin. In just four overs, he took 3 for 22. His spin didn’t turn wildly, but it moved just enough to deceive the batsmen. One delivery pinned Adushka Fernando lbw. Another trapped Rasagara in front after a brief flurry. Sri Lanka’s middle order, once promising, collapsed under pressure. The commentary kept repeating: “They’re chasing for the second time in this tournament.” After beating Hong Kong by seven wickets, they’d been confident. But this wasn’t Hong Kong. This was Pakistan ‘A’ — hungry, disciplined, and unyielding.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Pakistan. A crucial wicketkeeping error in the 12th over — a slow full-toss slipped through the gloves — let Sri Lanka grab two extra runs. “Wow, this is poor from the keeper,” the commentator sighed. Pakistan couldn’t afford those lapses. Not with the target so tight.
At 140 for 7, Sri Lanka needed 15 runs off the final 18 balls. They had two tailenders at the crease. One of them, Araal Romesh, smashed a six off the penultimate over. The crowd roared. But the next ball? A slower ball, outside off. He swung hard. Missed. The stumps rattled. The umpire raised his finger. Silence again.
Final over. 148 for 8. Five runs needed. One wicket left. The bowler — a young leg-spinner making his international debut — delivered a yorker. The batter, desperate, tried to heave. The ball looped to mid-off. The fielder caught it cleanly. The final score: 148. Pakistan won by five runs.
There was confusion in the highlights — one clip mistakenly said “six runs.” But the scorecard was clear. Five. Not six. The difference between glory and heartbreak.
This isn’t just about who plays in the final. This is about the future of cricket in South Asia. The DP World Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 is the developmental league where next-gen talent gets tested under pressure. Players here aren’t household names — yet. But the ones who shine? They’ll be in the senior squads within 18 months.
Shaheen, now 20, has already drawn comparisons to his namesake, Shaheen Afridi. Trevvin, 19, showed composure beyond his years. And for Sri Lanka? The loss stings, but it’s a wake-up call. Their batting depth is thin. Their spinners are inconsistent. They’ve lost three of their last four matches in this format.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s selectors now have a blueprint: disciplined bowling, minimal errors, and a willingness to let young players carry the load. This isn’t just a win. It’s a statement.
The final is set for November 23, 2025 — two days after this nail-biter. Bangladesh, who earlier beat India ‘A’ by 12 runs in Semi-Final 1, will be favorites. They’ve played more matches, have more momentum, and their captain has led them through pressure before.
But Pakistan ‘A’ isn’t here to make up the numbers. They’ve survived. They’ve outlasted. Now they want to finish it. If they win, it’ll be the first time a Pakistan ‘A’ side has lifted this trophy since 2019. And if they lose? They’ll still be the team everyone’s watching next year.
The DP World Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 is more than a tournament. It’s a pipeline. Each participating team — Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Hong Kong — must field at least six players under 22. No senior international players are allowed. The goal? To give emerging talent exposure to high-stakes cricket without the glare of senior caps.
Since its launch in 2021, over 40 players from this tournament have earned national contracts. Three have already debuted for their senior teams. This year’s standout? Trevvin. His economy rate of 5.5 runs per over in the tournament is the best among all bowlers with more than 10 overs bowled.
It’s not glamorous. No stadiums are sold out. No jerseys are trending on Twitter. But in quiet practice grounds across the subcontinent, kids are watching this match. And dreaming.
Pakistan 'A' won because their bowling attack — led by Shaheen and Trevvin — exploited Sri Lanka's fragile middle order. Trevvin’s 3 for 22 in four overs, combined with precise line and length from the spinners, restricted Sri Lanka to just 148. Pakistan’s low total of 154 was enough because Sri Lanka collapsed under pressure after losing key batsmen early, and their fielding errors cost them crucial runs.
Shaheen took the vital wicket of Nishan Madushka, breaking Sri Lanka’s early momentum, while Trevvin delivered the tournament’s most economical bowling spell: 3 for 22 in four overs. Though no Pakistan batter scored over 40, the top order held firm under pressure, and the lower order added quick, vital runs — particularly the 18-run partnership between the 8th and 9th wickets that pushed the total past 150.
The confusion stemmed from a misstatement in one of the official highlights clips, which incorrectly cited a six-run margin. The official scorecard from the Asian Cricket Council confirmed Pakistan won by five runs: Sri Lanka finished at 148 for 8, five short of 154. Such errors are rare but can occur in live commentary feeds before final verification.
Sri Lanka 'A' now faces a critical review. Their top order failed to capitalize on early momentum, and their spinners couldn’t match Pakistan’s accuracy. While players like Araal Romesh showed flashes of talent, the team’s inability to close out tight chases — they’ve now lost two matches by under 10 runs — highlights a mental fragility. Coaching staff are expected to reassess their middle-order strategy before the next developmental tournament.
Bangladesh holds a slight edge. They’ve played more matches in the tournament, have a stronger batting lineup, and their captain has led the team to two wins under pressure. But Pakistan ‘A’ has the momentum and the belief of a team that’s beaten a stronger side on their home soil. If Shaheen and Trevvin repeat their performances, Bangladesh’s top order could struggle — especially if the pitch retains its slow, turning nature.
The DP World Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 is a direct scouting ground. Over 40 players from past editions have earned senior contracts. Trevvin and Shaheen are already on the radar of Pakistan’s selectors. If they perform in the final, they’ll likely be fast-tracked into the senior squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup qualifiers. For Sri Lanka, this loss could accelerate the inclusion of younger players like Romesh in their next senior camp.
