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| ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup | |
|---|---|
| Name | ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup |
| Administrator | Asian Cricket Council |
| Cricket format | List A cricket |
| First | 2013 |
| Last | 2023 |
| Tournament format | Group stage, knockout |
| Champions | Pakistan A (2023) |
ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup
The ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup is a cricket tournament organized by the Asian Cricket Council to promote promising players from Asia by combining national A teams and under-age sides from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Hong Kong and other Asian Cricket Council members. Conceived after discussions among officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Pakistan Cricket Board, Sri Lanka Cricket and Bangladesh Cricket Board, the tournament complements events such as the Asia Cup and aims to bridge the gap between domestic competitions like the Ranji Trophy, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Premier League Tournament and full international cricket.
First held in 2013, the tournament was developed by the Asian Cricket Council and key figures from the International Cricket Council who sought a pathway similar to the ICC World Cup Qualifier and ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup structures. The inaugural competition featured emerging squads from India and Pakistan alongside regional teams such as Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates, reflecting ACC expansion policies influenced by debates at meetings in Kathmandu, Colombo, and Lahore. Subsequent editions in 2017, 2018, and 2019 were staged amid shifting calendars shaped by agreements between the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Pakistan Cricket Board, and broadcasting partners like Star Sports and ESPNcricinfo affiliates. The 2023 edition marked the return after pandemic disruptions that affected events such as the 2020 Asia Cup and triggered coordination with organizers of the ACC Premier Cup and domestic franchises like Indian Premier League and Pakistan Super League.
The competition typically features eight teams divided into two groups with progression to semi-finals, mirroring formats used in the Asia Cup and ICC Champions Trophy. Teams qualify through a mix of automatic entries for A teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh and regional qualification via the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup qualifiers and competitions such as the ACC Trophy and ACC Twenty20 Cup. Eligibility rules align with ICC regulations on List A status and player selection criteria that parallel policies from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Pakistan Cricket Board, and Sri Lanka Cricket. Tournament timing is coordinated with domestic windows like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League to allow participation by players from the Ranji Trophy and Quaid-e-Azam Trophy circuits.
Winners have included teams fielded by national boards such as Pakistan Cricket Board's Pakistan A and outfits representing India A and Sri Lanka A, with standout performances from players who later featured in tournaments like the Asia Cup, ICC Cricket World Cup, and franchised events such as the Indian Premier League and Big Bash League. Leading run-scorers and wicket-takers in editions have gone on to win awards like ICC Cricketer of the Year nominations and national honors from boards including Bangladesh Cricket Board and Afghanistan Cricket Board. Match records reference venues in cities including Dhaka, Karachi, Colombo, Kolkata, and Sharjah; notable individual performances recall players who later debuted in fixtures overseen by the International Cricket Council and commentators from Wisden and ESPNcricinfo.
The tournament is a development platform for players from systems such as the Ranji Trophy, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Super Provincial One Day Tournament, and the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. Several alumni progressed to senior squads led by captains who appeared in ICC Cricket World Cup campaigns and in Test arenas like Lord's and Eden Gardens. National selectors from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Pakistan Cricket Board, Sri Lanka Cricket, and Bangladesh Cricket Board have used performances to fast-track talent into A-team tours, Test squads, and franchise drafts for leagues like the Indian Premier League and Caribbean Premier League. The event also fosters coaches, umpires, and match officials accredited by the International Cricket Council and regional bodies like the Asian Cricket Council.
Matches have been staged at established cricket grounds such as Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Gaddafi Stadium, R. Premadasa Stadium, Eden Gardens, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Broadcast partnerships have involved networks and platforms like Star Sports, Sony Sports Network, ESPNcricinfo, and regional services from PTV Sports and T Sports, with digital streaming rights negotiated alongside ACC media contracts. Host boards coordinate venue readiness with pitch curators, ground authorities, and local governments in cities such as Dhaka, Karachi, Colombo, Kolkata, Sharjah, and Kandy to meet ICC standards.
The tournament has contributed to player pipelines feeding into national sides of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal, influencing selection policies and strengthening regional competitiveness demonstrated in events like the Asia Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup qualifiers. It has aided cricket development in associate regions, enhancing exposure for teams from Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Oman and supporting ACC goals aligned with initiatives seen in the ICC Development Programme. Through talent identification and commercial arrangements with broadcasters such as Star Sports and content partners like Wisden and ESPNcricinfo, the tournament has become a recognizable rung in Asia’s cricketing ladder.
Category:Cricket competitions in Asia Category:Asian Cricket Council tournaments