New Delhi: India A eked out a thrilling victory by seven runs against arch-rivals Pakistan (A) in the campaign opener of the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Muscat, Oman on Saturday. For India, skipper Tilak Varma and pacer Anshul Kamboj shone, striking neigbours Pakistan with the first blow of the Asian event and taking the second spot of the Group B points table while Pakistan sitting third.
The clash lived up to its expectations despite having the rising and not-so-known players from either side, reaffirming the fact that India vs Pakistan clashes will always claim the spotlight regardless of the presence of the star players. It also made it clear that the clashes between the two arch-rivals will always transcend boundaries on foreign land as well. The game was played in Muscat, Oman, and saw a huge set of Indian and Pakistani fans who came out to support the players.
India ‘A’ clinched victory against Pakistan ‘A’ by 7 runs in a nail-biting match! A thrilling finish that kept everyone on the edge till the last ball! 🙌🥶#MensT20EmergingTeamsAsiaCup #ACC pic.twitter.com/OgCzabLrzs
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) October 19, 2024
Pakistan, who were after the target of a daunting 184 set by India, were delivered an early blow by Kamboj who removed skipper Mohammad Haris off the second delivery of the innings, after being struck for a six. He removed Omair Yousuf as well in his second over and Pakistan’s hopes relied upon Yasir Khan (33 off 22) and Arafat Minhas (41 off 29). Qasim Akram scored a decent 21-ball 27 while Abdul Samad’s crucial 25 and Abbas Afridi’s unbeaten 18 couldn’t take the Men in Green home as Pakistan were restricted at 176/7 in 20 overs.
Kamboj, who sent back Samad as well, picked three wickets in total and was adjudged the Player of the Match. Rasikh Dar Salam and Nishant Sidhu were the pick of the bowlers as well, taking two wickets apiece.
𝐀 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞-𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬! 😍
An outstanding 3️⃣-fer by Anshul Kamboj👌#MensT20EmergingTeamsAsiaCup #ACC pic.twitter.com/1EwcYLOVrE
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) October 19, 2024
Varma shines with captain’s knock
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, India were off to a flyer on the back of openers Abhishek Sharma (35 off 22; 5fours, 2 sixes) and Prabhsimran Singh (36 off 19; 3 fours, 3 sixes) as they partnered for 68 runs for the opening wicket. After both departed, the Indian innings were carried forward by the skipper Tilak Varma (44 off 35; 2 fours, 2 sixes) and Nehal Wadhera (25 off 22; 2 fours and a six).
They made a 38-run stand for the third wicket but Wadhera had to depart just like Prabhsimran and Ayush Badoni. Varma was then supported by Ramandeep Singh who contributed with an 11-ball 17 hitting a four and a six each. Both added 43 runs for the fifth wicket and India were already boasting a good total until then. After Varma was sent back in the penultimate over as the fifth wicket, three wickets fell in quick succession as India posted 183/8 in 20 overs on the scoreboard.
Sufiyan Muqeem took two wickets for Pakistan while the likes of Mohammad Imran, Zaman Khan, Minhas, and Qasim Akram took a wicket each.
Tilak Varma and Anshul Kamboj starred as India A pulled off a thrilling seven-run win against Pakistan A in the campaign opener of the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Muscat, Oman on Saturday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
