Twitter Reactions: Afghanistan A edge out India A from to enter Emerging Asia Cup final

Afghanistan A. (Source – Afghanistan Cricket)

Afghanistan A and India A locked horns in the crucial semi-final game of the ongoing Emerging Asia Cup 2024 at Al Amerat on Friday, October 25. Meanwhile, Afghanistan A was coming into this game after ending second in their group, while topped in their table after a three-match winning streak.

The important clash began with Afghanistan A‘s skipper Darwish Rasooli calling it correctly at the toss and asking the young Men in Blue to take the field. The side got off to a brilliant start to the innings as openers Zubaid Akbari and Sediqullah Atal put on a 137-run opening stand. India drew the first blood in the 15th over in the form of Akbari, departing after a 41-ball 64. The southpaw smashed five boundaries and four towering sixes and played a huge role in giving his team the start they would have liked.

Meanwhile, his partner Atal continued the onslaught along with Karim Janat. Both the batters put up a 44-run partnership in just 19 balls and took the score past 180. Opener Atal departed after a sublime innings of 83, lacking his innings with seven boundaries and four huge sixes.

Captain Rasooli departed in the next ball for a first-ball duck. With wickets falling from one side, Janat kept taking on the Indian bowlers and made sure Afghanistan’s score went over 200. Though he achieved his target, but departed after playing an important 41-run knock. 

With important partnerships from their batters, the Afghan side managed to post 206/4 in their allotted 20 overs. As for India, Rasikh Salam was the pick of the bowlers, as he bagged three wickets.

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India’s chase got off to a horrid start, as opener Abhishek Sharma walked back after a five-ball seven. His partner Prabhsimran Singh who was looking to play a big knock also found his way back to the dressing room after adding 19 runs. Skipper Tilak Varma was looking to steady the wobbling ship but lost his wicket in the manner, which saw India reeling at 50/3 in six overs. 

From there Ayush Badoni tried picking up the broken pieces and built a 32-run stand with Nehal Wadhera. The latter managed 20 runs to the tally, which included three boundaries and one six. Badoni also fell after a few overs, which saw India struggling at 100/5 with seven overs to go.

Ramandeep Singh tried his level best to finish the game for his team but was dismissed after hitting a quick-fire 64. Afghan bowlers kept putting pressure on the opposition and eventually restricted them to 186/7 and won the game by 20 runs. Abdul Rahman and Allah Ghazanfar both picked two wickets for their side in the crucial game. With this win, Afghanistan advanced to the finals and will now lock horns with Sri Lanka A on October 27. 

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