The Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 match between India A and Pakistan A in Doha, Qatar, on November 16, 2025, was marred by controversy, intense moments, and an apparent breach of sportsmanship. Pakistan A emerged victorious with an 8-wicket win, but the game was overshadowed by a contentious catch ruling, heated exchanges with the umpires, and visible tension between the two sides.
The central controversy revolved around a relay catch attempt in the 10th over of Pakistan A's innings. Maaz Sadaqat, who was in excellent form, launched a shot towards the long-on boundary off the bowling of Suyash Sharma. Nehal Wadhera leaped and caught the ball just inches from the boundary rope. However, as his momentum carried him over the boundary, he flicked the ball back into play to Naman Dhir, who completed the catch inside the field.
Initially, the on-field umpires signaled Sadaqat out, and the Indian team began celebrating what seemed like a crucial breakthrough. However, the decision was referred to the third umpire for review. After examining multiple angles, the third umpire overturned the decision, declaring Sadaqat not out.
The decision sparked immediate outrage and confusion among the Indian players. The umpires' decision was based on a recent amendment to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) laws. According to the updated law, if a fielder's first contact with the ball after touching it occurs outside the boundary, they must be grounded within the boundary for the catch to be valid. Since Wadhera was outside the boundary when he initially touched the ball, the relay catch was deemed illegal.
Adding to the confusion, the on-field umpires did not signal a six, leading to further debate. Ultimately, no runs were awarded, and the ball was considered a dot ball. This decision further infuriated the Indian team, leading to a heated discussion with the umpires. Suyash Sharma, the India A skipper, was seen in a particularly animated conversation with the officials.
The match also saw what appeared to be a deliberate snub during the post-match handshakes. While details remain unclear, the lack of customary sportsmanlike conduct added another layer of controversy to the game.
Despite the controversies, Pakistan A dominated the match. Sadaqat remained unbeaten, scoring 79 runs off 47 balls and securing the win for his team. He was also impressive with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 12 runs. Earlier in the innings, Vaibhav Suryavanshi had top-scored for India A with 45 runs off 28 balls. However, the Indian batting lineup collapsed, losing eight wickets for just 35 runs in the final 10 overs, resulting in a total of 136.
The game was filled with other tense moments, including a close call where Jitesh Sharma collided with Yash Thakur after Thakur caught Yasir Khan. The India A vs Pakistan A match has once again highlighted the intense rivalry between the two nations, both on and off the field.
