Afghanistan A stunned India A in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 semi-finals on Friday, October 25, at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1). The Darwish Rasooli-led side won by 20 runs to progress to the finals for the first time in the tournament’s history. After amassing 206/4 in their 20 overs, Afghanistan A restricted India A to 186/7 to book their tickets to the summit clash against Sri Lanka on Sunday, October 27, at the same venue.
Afghanistan legend Mohammad Nabi was following all the action from the thrilling encounter between two immensely talented sides. He posted a video where he was watching the final stages of the match from inside a car. The star all-rounder celebrated the win with claps and fist pumps. In the caption, the 39-year-old congratulated the team on the famous win and sent his best wishes for the all-important final.
“Congratulations Afghanistan 🇦🇫. An unforgettable night as our Afghan Atalans triumphed over India A in the 2nd Semi-Final of the ACC T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup! A brilliant performance from our heroes. Wishing you all the best for the Grand Final – Go claim that title, Inshallah! Can’t wait to celebrate your victory!” Nabi wrote in his latest Instagram post.
Watch Nabi’s Instagram post here:
Ramandeep Singh’s gritty half-century goes in vain as Afghanistan A hold nerves to secure victory
Rasooli won the toss and opted to bat first as he wanted to put runs on the board and put scoreboard pressure on the Indian team with his strong bowling unit. Zubaid Akbari and Sediqullah Atal got their team off to an exhilarating start as they added 137 runs in 14 overs. The former was dismissed by Aaqib Khan for a well-compiled 64 off 41 balls. Afghanistan A promoted big-hitting all-rounder Karim Janat to No. 3 and he didn’t let the momentum slide. Atal fell for a 52-ball 83, hitting seven fours and five sixes. However, Janat continued to pulverise the Indian bowling en route to a 20-ball 41. In the end, the batting side finished on 206/4.
In reply, India A openers tried to take the attack to the Afghans but mystery spinner Allah Ghazanfar sent both of them packing. Captain Tilak Varma also departed in the last over of powerplay as India slipped to 49/3 in six overs. Nehal Wadhera and Ayush Badoni tried to resurrect the innings but the former was run out just as he was beginning to look dangerous. Badoni departed soon after as last year’s runners-up lost half their side for 100 runs in the 13th over.
Also Check: Twitter Reactions: Afghanistan A edge out India A from to enter Emerging Asia Cup final
Ramandeep Singh played a blinder of an innings and kept India in the hunt as he stitched a 68-run partnership with Nishant Sindhu off 31 balls. However, the latter became the second Indian batter to be run out after a miscommunication with Ramandeep. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder continued to play some exhilarating shots but he was left to do too much in the end. He was dismissed off the last ball of the innings for an enterprising 34-ball 64 as India A lost by 20 runs.
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