Ramandeep Singh’s half-century could not save India A from a 20-run loss to Afghanistan A within the Rising Groups Asia Cup T20 semifinal held in Al Amerat, Oman, on Friday. Afghanistan A will now face Sri Lanka A within the ultimate.
Afghanistan A selected to bat first and posted 206/4, the very best complete within the event. This was made doable by a powerful 137-run opening partnership between Sediqullah Atal, who scored 83 off 52 balls, and Zubaid Akbari, who made 64 off 41 balls.
India A struggled of their chase, shedding 5 wickets by the 13th over. Ramandeep Singh and Nishant Sindhu then put collectively a fast 68-run partnership in simply 31 balls. Nevertheless, when India wanted 53 runs from the final three overs, Nishant was run out after a miscommunication, having scored 23 off 13 balls.
Afghanistan’s Abdul Rahman, who took 2/32, bowled the ultimate over and managed to dismiss Ramandeep on the final ball, limiting India to 186/7.
Sri Lanka A earlier secured their spot within the ultimate by defeating Pakistan Shaheens. They restricted Pakistan to 135/9 and chased the goal down in 16.Three overs, successful by seven wickets. Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha took 4/21, whereas Nipun Ranskika and Eshan Malinga claimed two wickets every.
Afghanistan A obtained a powerful begin, reaching 61 with out loss by the sixth over, with Zubaid and Sediqullah dominating the Indian bowlers. Zubaid hit 4 sixes and 5 fours, whereas Sediqullah added 4 sixes and 7 fours.
After Zubaid was dismissed, Karim Janat continued the aggressive play with a fast 41 off 20 balls, together with two sixes and 4 fours. Rasikh Salam then delivered an important spell, taking three wickets, together with two in consecutive balls, to curb Afghanistan’s scoring within the ultimate overs.
India A had a shaky begin, shedding three wickets throughout the powerplay overs. Allah Mohammed Ghazanfar took the wickets of Abhishek Sharma (7) and Prabhsimran Singh (19), whereas Tilak Varma (16) fell to Abdul Rahman, leaving India at 48/Three in 5.Four overs. Ayush Badoni (31) and Nehal Wadhera (20) tried to stabilise the innings however Afghanistan triggered one other collapse.
Temporary Scores: Afghanistan A 206/Four in 20 overs (Sediqullah Atal 83, Zubaid Akbari 64, Karim Janat 41; Rasikh Salam 3/25) beat India A 186/7 in 20 overs (Ramandeep Singh 64) by 20 runs.
