The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has officially announced the complete schedule and groupings for the upcoming Youth Asia Cup, set to begin later this month. With eight teams competing in two groups, the tournament promises to be one of the most exciting youth cricket events of recent years. Bangladesh has been placed in Group B, where the young Tigers will face Afghanistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
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A Balanced but Tricky Group for Bangladesh
Although Bangladesh’s group appears comparatively easier on paper, cricket followers know that youth cricket is full of surprises. Afghanistan has consistently produced outstanding young talents with raw pace and aggression. Nepal has shown notable improvement across all formats in recent years, especially at the youth level. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka always fields a competitive side capable of defeating any team on its day.
This means Bangladesh will need to perform with consistency, discipline and clarity from the very first match.
Bangladesh’s Full Match Schedule
All matches of the tournament will begin at 9:00 PM Gulf Standard Time.
December 13: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
December 15: Bangladesh vs Nepal
December 17: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
The opening match against Afghanistan is expected to set the tone for Bangladesh’s campaign. The second match against Nepal may appear less challenging, but Nepal’s recent performances demand careful planning. The third and final group match against Sri Lanka will likely determine the group standings and possibly decide whether Bangladesh advances to the knockout stage.
Group A: India–Pakistan Rivalry Returns
Group A features four teams: India, Pakistan, UAE and Malaysia. The most anticipated match of this group — and possibly of the entire tournament — will be the India–Pakistan youth clash on December 14. This match alone has sparked enormous interest among global cricket followers.
The tournament opener on December 12 will see India facing hosts UAE.
Road to the Final
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, both scheduled for December 19. The grand final will take place on December 21 at the ICC Academy Ground.
All matches are planned to be played under lights, creating a high-intensity atmosphere for young cricketers to showcase their potential.
Why This Tournament Matters for Bangladesh
The Youth Asia Cup is historically one of the most important platforms for rising stars in Asia. Many international cricketers — including several from Bangladesh — first caught global attention through this tournament.
For Bangladesh, this is an opportunity not only to sharpen their bench strength but also to prepare emerging talents for future ICC events.
With excitement building up and the schedule now finalized, fans are eagerly waiting to see how the young Tigers perform in their three crucial group matches.