AFG-A Vs SL-A, Emerging Asia Cup 2024 Final Highlights: Sediqullah Atal Powers Afghan Abdalyans To Historic Title Victory| AFG-A 134/3(18.1)

The Sri Lanka A Vs Afghanistan A, ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 final match can be live streamed on the Disney+Hotstar application and website at 7:00pm IST The said match will also be shown live on TV on Star Sports Network. (Live Streaming)

Afghanistan A Squad: Sediqullah Atal, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Numan Shah(w), Darwish Rasooli(c), Shahidullah Kamal, Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangeyalia Kharote, Abdul Rahman, Qais Ahmad, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Zubaid Akbari, Allah Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami, Mohammad Ishaq

Sri Lanka A Squad: Yashodha Lanka, Lahiru Udara(w), Nuwanidu Fernando(c), Sahan Arachchige, Pawan Rathnayake, Ramesh Mendis, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Dushan Hemantha, Nimesh Vimukthi, Nipun Ransika, Eshan Malinga, Dinura Kalupahana, Isitha Wijesundera, Kavindu Nadeeshan, Lasith Croospulle

In their last encounter, Afghanistan dominated the match, with tournament top scorer Sediqullah Atal making 83 and his opening partner Zubaid Akbari contributing 57, leading Afghanistan to a total of 166.

Nuwanidu Fernando scored 51 for Sri Lanka A, but Faridoon Dawoodzai's impressive bowling, which included 3 wickets, helped Afghanistan secure a narrow victory over Sri Lanka A.

The pitch at Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) tends to favor batters, with teams that bowl first often coming out on top. However, as we saw in the India vs. Afghanistan match, setting a hefty total can lead to a win, even if you bat first. So, winning the toss could be a game-changer.

Sri Lanka A have won the toss and opted to bat first against Afghanistan A.

Afghanistan A: Zubaid Akbari, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli(c), Mohammad Ishaq(w), Sharafuddin Ashraf, Shahidullah Kamal, Karim Janat, Allah Ghazanfar, Qais Ahmad, Abdul Rahman, Bilal Sami

Sri Lanka A: Lahiru Udara(w), Yashodha Lanka, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Nuwanidu Fernando(c), Sahan Arachchige, Pawan Rathnayake, Ramesh Mendis, Dushan Hemantha, Nimesh Vimukthi, Nipun Ransika, Eshan Malinga

Both teams' players line up for the national anthems, starting with Afghanistan A and then Sri Lanka A. The atmosphere in the stadium is electric.

Lahiru Udara (w) and Yashodha Lanka opened for Sri Lanka but departed early to an easy catch. Yashodha Lanka was caught by Darwish Rasooli off the bowling of Bilal Sami, scoring just 1 run off 4 balls.

SL-A: 7/2 (2.3)

Bilal continues his spell as Wickramasinghe swings and misses the first delivery, then hits the second right into the hands of a fielder. Still no runs from this over. That was a close call for a single; if it had connected, Sri Lanka could have been facing a potential third wicket.

AND FINALLY, Udara gets his chance to shine, and he makes the most of it, launching the ball over the circle and into the deep extra cover boundary. But then he’s out! In an attempt to swing hard, he nicks it inside, and the ball crashes into his stumps.

SL-A: 17/4 (5)

Allah Ghazanfar is back in the attack, and AGAIN IT IS A WICKET, He’s struck again, Ahan Wickramasinghe attempts to play it to the leg side, but the ball deceives him and sneaks through his defenses to rattle the stumps.

SL-A: 25/4 (6)

Ghazanfar comes in to bowl and starts with two consecutive dot balls as Pawan Rathnayake plays it safe. Sri Lanka desperately needs a partnership now to avoid taking unnecessary risks. They manage just 3 runs next as Pawan chips the ball behind.

SL-A: 42/4 (8.4)

Qais Ahmad delivers a solid over, posing more trouble for the Sri Lanka A batters as he extracts turn from the pitch. Just four runs came from the over, and now Abdul Rahman continues from the other end.

SL-A: 55/4 (10)

Just as Sri Lanka A appeared to be clawing their way back, a misstep has cost them dearly. The pressure is now on Sahan to lead the charge with only the tailenders for support.

Pawan Rathnayake’s run out came as Qais Ahmad returned to bowl, with Sri Lanka’s batters pushing the limits with quick singles, much to the frustration of the Afghan players. A run out from an ill-judged second run, and Pawan Rathnayake is gone. Pure recklessness, gifting Afghanistan another wicket at a critical moment.

SL-A 87/5 (14.5)

Qais Ahmed misses a chance off his own bowling, racing to deep mid-wicket as Nimesh mistimes a flighted delivery high in the air. Despite the drop, Qais remains fired up, continuing to extract turn from the pitch.

Meanwhile, Sahan Arachchige is closing in on a fifty, emerging as a steady hope for Sri Lanka. Nimesh Vimukthi is standing strong as well.

SL-A 98/5 (16)

The 42-run stand ends with Nimesh Vimukthi (23) run out at the non-striker's end after a tough couple of overs. Ramesh Mendis steps in but departs immediately, bowled by Bilal Sami while attempting a scoop shot, leaving for a duck (0 off 1 ball).

That’s Sami’s third wicket as Sri Lanka lose two in quick succession. Dushan Hemantha arrives at No. 9, while Sahan Arachchige reaches his half-century with a flawless flick to the third-man boundary.

SL-A 120/7 (18.3)

Sahan Arachchige brings up his half-century with a perfect flick to the third-man boundary. He has been the standout performer for Sri Lanka, navigating challenging circumstances and a flurry of falling wickets.

SL-A 124/7 (19.2)

Sahan Arachchige wraps up Sri Lanka A's innings with a boundary, capping off a solid performance after Rahman kept things under control for most of the over.

Sri Lanka A finish with 133/7, scoring 45 runs in the last five overs. Will this be a winning total on this pitch, especially with Dushan Hemantha leading the Lankan bowling attack? We’ll find out soon. STAY TUNED

Sahan Arachchige is making an impact in the chase's first over, claiming the wicket of Zubaid Akbari (0) with his very first ball. The delivery turned into the left-hander, toppling the off stump. Sri Lanka's decision to open with spin is paying off, and now Afghan skipper Darwish Rasooli walks to the crease at No. 3.

AFG-A 11/1 (3)

Afghan Abdalyans finally find its rhythm as Darwish Rasooli launches a six and a four to the long-on boundary off consecutive deliveries. This follows Sediqullah's drive of a fuller delivery straight down the ground for the team's first boundary.

The Afghan chase gains momentum with 20 runs coming from Ransika's over. Spinner Ramesh Mendis is set to bowl the next over.

AFG-A: 43/1 (6)

Afghan Abdalyans opt to navigate through the second over bowled by the dangerous Dushan Hemantha, who is challenging them with his spin and variations.

AFG-A: 55/2 (10)

Ramesh Mendis concedes only 5 runs in the 12th over, skillfully turning the ball away from the batters. As pace returns, round-arm bowler Eshan Malinga takes over for the next over. The Lankans are on the hunt for wickets, while the Afghans remain cautious.

AFG-A: 88/2 (13.3)

Eshan Malinga makes a crucial breakthrough, sending Karim Janat (33) back to the pavilion after he is run out while trying to sneak a single off the last ball of the over. This could be the turning point Sri Lanka A has been looking for. However, with Sediqullah still at the crease, it’s difficult to count Afghanistan out just yet.

AFG-A: 103/3 (15.3)

Sediqullah Atal celebrates his half-century in style, smashing Nimesh Vimukthi for a six over cow corner and following it up with a four to the square leg. The trophy is almost within Afghanistan's grasp.

AFG-A: 134/3 (18.1)

Mohammad Ishaq strikes the winning shot, sending the ball to the square leg boundary and clinching the trophy for Afghanistan A. This historic victory marks the nation’s first ACC T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup title, and the players’ joyous celebrations say it all.

Stay tuned for the awards presentation ceremony coming up next.

Sediqullah Atal shone brightly once again, scoring 55 to guide Afghanistan A to a 7-wicket victory against Sri Lanka A and clinching their first Emerging Teams Asia Cup title. His standout performances throughout the tournament highlighted his ability to rise to the occasion, proving instrumental for the team in critical moments.

And, Player of the match goes to spinner Allah Ghazanfar for a spell of 2/14.

We're wrapping up our live coverage with a big cheer as Afghanistan A proudly lifts the trophy. They fought their way past heavyweights like India A and Sri Lanka A on their journey to glory. What a game, we’ll be back with more thrilling action, but for now, good night and bye-bye.