Despite a narrow defeat, Afghanistan A upset India in the Sri Lanka A Team Tri-Series as Dambulla yielded only their second official One-Day win ever due to rain – with India’s total falling four runs short on the DLS method. With rain awaiting the conclusion of proceedings India A stayed ahead according to run rate due to an imposing total being posted and them well in command for a large portion but that still only just kept Afghanistan A at bay.
Having been invited to bat first, India A made early use of the batting conditions with a good platform set by their top-order. The beginning was an encouraging one with the opening pair getting off to a good start, putting pressure on Afghanistan A bowlers. CONFIDENT SHOT: Prabhsimran Singh didn’t shy away from smacking erring bowlers with careful strokes as India A scored at a rate over 6 an over right through. The middle order just needed to go through their business with run rate hardly a concern and Jansen set everything up.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, once again showed why he is one of the best and most dependable batters in Indian domestic cricket. The innings was characterised by an elegant and intelligent choice of shots. Gaikwad starts off, working the twos and getting everything that is a tad shorter or a little overpitched. India A steadied just in time, his Polat’s 50 off 60 was assuring after that at the middle overs collaboratively marking a maintainable run-rate.
As a captain, Tilak Varma also did his thing. He came at a crucial juncture in the innings to ensure India A never lost control. There was nonetheless a sprinkling of aggression in there too, with some crucial partnerships frustrating the Afghanistan A bowlers as Tilak batted cautiously. But India A’s lower order rallied in to add precious runs at the end of a challenging account.
India A 349 for 9 (49 overs, rain-affected game) He looked like he would enjoy more than a handful of care with the total on a surface which in pockets had provided something for bowlers. In the second innings, India A began with an upper hand because of their very strong bowling attack.
But Afghanistan thought otherwise. Did not hesitate for a massive run-chase, opening pair started off their chase in confidence. They had instead opted to access liquidity (in order not take unnecessary risks in terms of driving partnership intakes at greater levels). Ditto the Indian pacers, who unlike their Delhi performance in Ranchi had no answers on how to get an early breakthrough when you have explicit intent putting a proverbial gun back at them.
Afghanistan A captain Imran Mir managed to endure some sort of inquisition and Bahir Shah came together as a partnership began building through the middle only once into their 40s. In chasing an intimidating target, both exhibited amazing maturity and calmness. They kept rotating strike, hitting boundaries when possible and nudged the total closer to DLS target which will be in play soon as rain clouds wafted over ground.
The pick of the WP batting was Imran Mir who hit an excellent 75 not out off just his 70 balls. He knew what was required of him in the moment and he led by example with his performance, being arguably their best player. Bahir Shah too forged a great partnership on the other end, and ended up not out with his half-century. But they combined for a partnership that saw them comfortably ahead of the needed rate almost all the time with repeated interruptions in weather.
India 40 overs: Pakistan made a steady start, albeit India A bowlers continually hunted wickets but could not break the partnership. However, Afghanistan A never allowed themselves to get into a position where they were consistently making breakthroughs. With every over that passed, those hopes of a heist looked ever more attainable and the confidence spread.
We were when rain returned, off 177 for 2 in the first of their allocated overs (25.5) and they looked to be at a DLS par score if play could not resume The weather, however, proved to be an unwelcome interruption for India A. Persistent rain prevented the resumption of play with match officials eventually left with no choice but abandon proceedings altogether
Afghanistan A won by four runs via the DLS method. That win was a milestone contribution from the Afghan side who have made great leaps in developmental level cricket and at the international venues they are just some touches away, as shown by them vs 2018 edition reigns The loss was a stark reminder to India A that no total, however large, is ever safe from the elements and DLS. The contest also brought an added element to the battle for a place in the final of the tri-series.
Read more: Afghanistan A Stun India A Despite 349-Run Total in DLS-Affected Tri-Series Match
