Muscat: Treating the capacity crowd to a blockbuster thriller at the Oman Cricket Academy, India A began their ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup T20 in Muscat with a narrow seven-run victory against Pakistan A (Shaheens) on Saturday night.
Chasing 184 for victory, Pakistan Shaheens ended their innings at 176-7 in 20 overs. Pacer Anshul Kamboj claimed 3-33, while Rasikh Salam (2-30) and Nishant Sandhu (2-15) impressed among the Indian bowlers. Kamboj was awarded man of the match for his crucial wickets. Pakistan Shaheens required 17 runs from the final over.
The first ball from Anshul Kamboj was hit by Abdul Samad straight to Abhishek Sharma, who made no mistake as Samad departed for 25 from 15 balls. The third ball went for a boundary past the wicketkeeper, leaving Pakistan needing 12 runs from 3 balls. The next ball was a dot, and the last delivery went for four past the wicketkeeper, leaving Pakistan Shaheens seven runs short. The full house at the OCA Stadium applauded the thrilling encounter. Among the attendees were Indian Ambassador Amit Narang and other officials.
Pakistan Shaheens started their chase of 184 in strong fashion, with captain Mohammed Harris hitting a six off the first ball from Indian pacer Anshul Kamboj, but Kamboj responded by bowling Harris out with the next delivery.
Arafat Minhas was the Shaheens’ top scorer, with a 29-ball 41, including five boundaries and one six. Qasim Akram contributed 27 off 21 balls.
India A, having won the toss and elected to bat first, posted 183 for eight wickets, with captain Tilak Varma leading from the front with a 35-ball 44, including two fours and two sixes. Openers Prabhsimran Singh (36 off 19 balls) with three fours and three sixes, and Abhishek Sharma (35 off 22) with five fours and two sixes, gave India A a solid start at the Oman Cricket Academy grounds.
Nehal Wadhera (25) and Ramandeep Singh (17) made useful contributions as the score reached 183. For Pakistan A, Sufiyan Muqeem took two wickets for 28 runs.
There were numerous thrilling moments in the match, which captivated the audience as the Indian openers and captain hit several sixes into the crowd and out of the park. Pakistan’s players also impressed with some stunning shots throughout the innings.
Ramandeep’s one-handed diving catch near the boundary to dismiss the dangerous Yasir Khan was the highlight of the match, as India excelled in fielding.
India A will next play against UAE at 5:30 pm, while Pakistan A will face Oman at 1 pm on Monday.
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