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IND A vs AFG A Highlights: Sediqullah, Ghazanfar Stun India A As Afghanistan March Into Final

Afghanistan A marches into the final of 2024 Emerging Asia Cup [Source: @ACBofficials/x]Afghanistan A marches into the final of 2024 Emerging Asia Cup [Source: @ACBofficials/x]

Afghanistan A jolted heavyweights India A in the second semifinal at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground on October 25. The outcome helped Afghanistan A set a date with their Sri Lankan counterparts in the finals of the 2024 Emerging Asia Cup.

Here’s the timeline of how IND A vs AFG A panned out in Al Amerat:

IND A vs AFG A Highlights: Zubaid And Sediqullah Atal Blaze With Fury In 137-Run Stand

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Afghanistan A openers Zubaid Akbari and Sediqullah Atal blazed their way to a 137-run stand at the top in just 14 overs. The two blistering cricketers extracted 61 of those runs from the opening powerplay, and reached 89-0 at the halfway stage of the innings.

Both Akbari and Sediqullah smeared sparkling half-centuries in the process, with the latter of the two top-scoring with 83 from 52 balls. Sediqullah bludgeoned seven boundaries and four sixes in his thunderous knock to set up foundation of a huge Afghanistan A total earlier in the game.

Zubaid Akbari, after making 64 off 41 deliveries, nicked one towards Prabhsimran Singh off Aaqib Khan to become the first batting casualty of the high-scoring Afghanistan A innings.

IND A vs AFG A Highlights: Rasikh Salam Takes Three, But Afghanistan A Mount 206

Karim Janat at number three blasted a sizzling 20-ball 41 in the slog overs and shared a swift 44-run partnership for the second wicket with half-centurion Sediqullah Atal. With Afghanistan A reaching 181-1 in the 18th over, paceman Rasikh Salam (3-25) briefly tilted the tide back in India A’s favor with three quick wickets, including that of Janat and Atal.

Afghanistan A ended up hauling a monumental 206-4 by the completion of their innings.

IND A vs AFG A Highlights: AM Ghazanfar Rocks Indian Openers With The New Ball

Chasing 207 for a spot in the finals, India A lost both openers, Abhishek Sharma (7 off 5) and Prabhsimran Singh (19 off 13) inside the opening powerplay to Afghanistan A spinner AM Ghazanfar. At the brink of the powerplay, skipper Tilak Varma also made his way back to the sheds as India A slipped to 48-3 after the first six overs.

Ayush Badoni (31 off 24) and Nehal Wadhera (20 off 14) chipped in with valuable runs in the middle overs, but the two blistering cricketers succumbed to the mounting asking rate and eventually fell in quick succession. At the time of their sudden dismissals at 100-5, India A required another 107 runs for a win in just the remaining seven overs.

IND A vs AFG A Highlights: Ramandeep Singh Wages India’s Lone Fight In Defeat

Batting at number six, Ramandeep Singh whacked 64 runs from just 34 balls with eight boundaries and two sixes to keep the chase alive for India A. His swift 68-run presence with Nishant Sindhu (23 off 13) even ignited a potential heist on part of the ‘Boys in Blue’, before some tight final overs from Abdul Rahman (2-32) prevented any late Indian flourish.

Team India conjured 186-7 by the end of their 20 overs to fall 20 runs short of their target. The outcome helped Afghanistan A reach the finals of the 2024 Men’s Emerging Asia Cup in Oman.