BAN A vs AFG Highlights: Heroic Sediqullah Atal’s One-Man Show Drives Afghanistan A To Sensational Win
AFG A beat BAN A by four wickets [Source: @ACBofficials/x.com]
Afghanistan A secured their second consecutive victory in the Emerging Asia Cup 2024, defeating Bangladesh A by four wickets in Match 6 on Sunday, October 20, in Al Amerat.
Here’s the timeline of how BAN A vs AFG A panned out in Al Amerat-
BAN A vs AFG Highlights: Parvez Hossain Emon Sets the Tone
Put in to bat first, Bangladesh A faced an early setback as opener Jishan Alam departed cheaply. However, Parvez Hossain Emon was the silver lining at the top, playing a superb knock of 54 off 32 balls.
Emon adjusted to the conditions and took on the Afghanistan A bowlers with ease. His innings laid a solid foundation, ensuring that Bangladesh A maintained a healthy run rate throughout the powerplay as they finished at 45/1 after six overs.
While Qais Ahmad managed to break the deadlock by dismissing Emon, it was already a case of damage done as Bangladesh A kept the scoreboard ticking briskly.
BAN A vs AFG Highlights: Towhid Hridoy and Shamim Hossain Keep the Momentum
As the innings progressed, Towhid Hridoy and Shamim Hossain took the baton. Like clockwork, both batters ensured the tempo didn’t dip, keeping Afghanistan A under pressure. Hridoy, as cool as a cucumber, played an impressive knock of 42* off 31 balls, showing remarkable composure in the middle overs.
Shamim Hossain added 38* to his name with some lusty blows towards the end. Their unbeaten partnership for the fifth wicket turned the tide in Bangladesh’s favor, adding crucial runs in the death overs as they ended up with 164/4 after their 20 overs.
BAN A vs AFG Highlights: Early Struggles and Quick Wickets
Afghanistan A faced an early setback in their run chase, losing two wickets in quick succession and finding themselves in hot water. Opener Zubaid Akbari started with a bang, scoring 16 off just 8 balls with two boundaries and a maximum, but his fireworks were cut short by Aliss.
The skipper, Darwish Rasooli, walked in with intent but was too aggressive for his own good, losing his off stump for just 5 runs. Afghanistan A seemed to be in a difficult spot, as Karim Janat also fell cheaply, adding further pressure to the middle order.
At the other end, Shahidullah Kamal struggled to find his rhythm, managing only 19 off 22 balls—a snail’s pace in a high-stakes chase. However, Sediqullah Atal kept his composure and looked to steady the ship.
He found an able partner in wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq, as the duo stitched together a crucial 38-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Ishaq fell for 10, leaving Afghanistan A with a mountain to climb.
BAN A vs AFG Highlights: Sediqullah Atal’s Heroics Seal the Deal
Despite the challenges, Sediqullah Atal continued to dig deep and play a gem of an innings. With 16 runs needed from the final two overs, Atal took matters into his own hands.
He made hay while the sun shone, taking 16 off Abu Hider Rony's third over, including a boundary off a no-ball that swung the momentum in Afghanistan's favor. Rony’s over leaked 17 runs in total, making the task much easier for Afghanistan A.
Atal wasn’t done yet—he added the finishing touch in style, smashing a maximum over widish long off to seal the victory. The young batter remained unbeaten on a scintillating 95 off 55 balls, decorated with nine boundaries and five maximums.
It was a case of cometh the hour, cometh the man, as Atal's brilliance saw Afghanistan A home and dry, marking their second consecutive win in the tournament.