Of course, it’s Anshul Kamboj! His early strikes ignited the thrill for India in the second innings and concluded the game with yet another wicket, finishing with impressive bowling figures of 3/33 in 4 overs in Oman.
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Of course, it’s Anshul Kamboj! His early strikes ignited the thrill for India in the second innings and concluded the game with yet another wicket, finishing with impressive bowling figures of 3/33 in 4 overs in Oman.
What a thrilling conclusion! It’s not a photo finish, but a hard-fought 7-run victory for India! The top-notch fielding from the Indians proved too much for Pakistan’s late surge, led by Samad, Minhas, and Abbas Afridi.
As we mentioned, stunning catches turned the tide for the Men in Blue. Abhishek Sharma’s spectacular catch to dismiss Samad off Kamboj's delivery dashed Pakistan's hopes in the final over, which still seemed achievable somehow.
Abbas Afridi finished Pakistan's innings with a boundary.
PAK-176/7; IND - 183/8
Anshul Kamboj, who started the second innings with two early wickets, strikes again in the final overs!
Anshul Kamboj gets down Abdul Samad caught by Abhishek Sharma! Samad departs for 25 runs off 15 balls, including 2 fours and 2 sixes.
The danger is gone!
Pakistan A now need 12 runs in 3 balls.
PAK-A: 172-7 (19.3 overs)
Pakistan A needs 19 runs in 10 balls.
The 18th over sees 0, 1, 4, Wd, 1, 1, 0 (8 runs) from Vaibhav Arora. The Indians on the field must not let the ball go far, while Pakistan need to find a way through - Total Drama going on!
PAK-A: 166-6(18.5)
Rasikh Salam picks Arafat Minhas's wicket--caught by Nehal Wadhera! Minhas departs for 41 runs off 29 balls, including 5 fours and 1 six.
India can’t let this slip! Pakistan A need 32 runs in 17 balls—it's nail-biting! Abbas Afridi, a right-handed batter with a good strike rate, comes to the crease.
PAK-A: 152-6 (17.1 overs)
Hitting a six, two fours and another six, Abdul Samad has brought some hope for the Pakistan fans, who are on their feet cheering loudly!
After impressive shots off Vaibhav Arora’s deliveries and now Rasikh Salam's, let’s see what the right-handed batter of the Shaheens adds to this beautiful night.
PAK-A: 149-5 (16.1 overs)
Some mistakes in the 14th over? no worries—the 15th brings a wicket! The Indian bowlers are on fire!
Rasikh Salam bowls out Haider Ali who departs for 9 runs off 15 balls.
The right hand batter Abdul Samad, comes to the crease.
PAK-A: 126-5 (14.5 overs)
Pakistan need 60 runs off 34 balls to win the game against their arch-rivals! To open their ACC Men's Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 campaign on a winning note, India must now restrict the Shaheens. The 14th over was a bit expensive, conceding 18 runs (4, 0, 6, 4, 4, 0) from Tilak Varma.
PAK-A: 122-4(14.1)
The moon, Yasir's shots, Ramandeep's catch, and now Tilak Varma's bowling, conceding only 5 runs in the tenth over (Wd, 0, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1)—it's a night of beauty in Oman!
PAK-A: 83-4(10)
Nishant Sindhu strikes again, and down goes Qasim Akram, caught by Nehal Wadhera! Qasim Akram departs for 27 runs off 21 balls, including 4 fours. That’s two wickets in the 9th over! Pakistan are starting to stumble now.
Two new faces are at the crease now - Arafat Minhas and Haider Ali.
PAK-A: 79-4 (9 overs)
It was the best catch today! Nishant Sindhu delivers to Yasir Khan—out caught by Ramandeep Singh! Yasir Khan departs for 33 runs off 22 balls, including 1 four and 3 sixes.
Yasir had us believing his shot would clear the boundary for another six, but Ramandeep was there to change the narrative! What a catch it was! A review was needed, but then "OUT" flashed boldly on the screens.
PAK-A: 76/3 (8.2 overs)
India scored 68 runs in the powerplay without losing any wicket, while Pakistan managed 62 runs with the loss of two.
Meanwhile, Yasir hammers another six off Rahul Chahar's delivery.
And above it all, the beautiful moon is shining—go out and see if you can catch a glimpse of it too!
PAK-A: 71/2 (7 overs)
A partnership is something that can change the game! Just as India did with Abhishek and Prabhsimran, Pakistan have found stability with Yasir and Qasim. After losing two crucial wickets early, the Shaheens are now building their innings.
Qasim has scored 20 runs off 13 balls, including 2 fours, while Yasir is at 22 off 13, with 2 fours and a six—the longest shot of the game!
PAK-A: 61/2 (6)
PAK-W: 46-2(5)
Abhishek Sharma to Qasim Akram—FOUR! Once again, Pakistan find a moment of joy in the fourth over. However, the loud shouts from the Indian colts after each wicket attempt are haunting them.
PAK-A: 34-2(4.1)
Omair Yousuf walks back, clearing two things: Pakistan are really struggling early, and Anshul Kamboj is a serious threat!
Kamboj strikes again in the thrid over dismissing Omair Yousuf for just 2 runs off 7 balls, caught by Nishant Sindhu.
PAK-A: 21-2 (2.3 overs)
Anshul Kamboj opens the attack for India, facing Mohammad Haris and Yasir Khan at the crease.
The very first ball sees a beautiful six hit by Haris—Pakistan fans are happy, but not for long.
On the very next ball, Anshul bowls the captain out!
PAK-A: 7/1 (0.5)
India lose a flurry of wickets towards the end of the innings, including a couple in the final over, bowled by Imran Jnr. Yet, India post 183/8, the highest total so far in this edition. Rasikh Salam clobbers the final ball for a six.
IND-A: 183/8 (20)
The death overs brings yet another set of wickets for Pakistan! Nishant Sindhu has been run out. He arrived, hit a four, and then was gone!
Following that, a collapse ensued, with Ramandeep falling next with Mohammad Imran taking down both Ramandeep and Rahul Chahar.
IND-A: 183/8 (20)
After a very expensive 18th over, where Mohammad Imran was attacked for 20 runs (Wd, 2, 6, 1, 4, 6, 0), Pakistan turn to Zaman Khan - to get down the threat. In the 19th over, Zaman Khan slips a six to Tilak Varma, but soon after, he dismisses Varma, caught by Arafat Minhas! The captain departs with 44 runs off 35 balls, including 2 fours and 2 sixes.
Nishant Sindhu, left handed bat, comes to the crease.
INDA: 163-5(18.2)
Okay! Verma knew exactly what was needed—acceleration—and he’s finding his rhythm, just like a true captain should!
Off Mohammad Imran’s delivery, Tilak Varma finally hits a SIX—his first of the game. India are building momentum in their innings, once again!
IND-A: 151-4 (17.4 overs)
Something has been off with India's batting since the openers departed! Nehal handled the pressure for a while, but now the captain and Ramandeep need to accelerate their scoring.
By the way, Varma just hit a boundary, bringing his score to 27 runs off 28 balls. He knows what to do
IND-A: 134-4 (16.3 overs)
What a spell by Qasim Akram!
As we enter the death overs, the fifteenth over yields just 6 runs (1, 1, Wd, 1, W, 1, 1). Now, Abbas Afridi (2.0-0-36-0) returns to the attack, with Indian captain Tilak Varma carrying the hopes for India alongside Ramandeep Singh.
Varma is struggling to find his rhythm, managing only one boundary and scoring 22 runs off 25 balls.
IND-A: 122-4
The halfway mark brought no mercy for the Men in Blue! Within just two overs, India lost two wickets.
Qasim Akram strikes again, dismissing Ayush Badoni, caught by Mohammad Haris! Badoni departs for 2 runs off 3 balls.
Now, Ramandeep Singh, a right-handed batter, comes to the crease.
IND-A: 120-4 (14.4 overs)
AH! Sad news--Nehal is gone! Sufiyan Muqeem bowls him out, and Nehal Wadhera departs for 25 runs off 22 balls, including 2 fours and 1 six. Suddenly, Pakistan fans are ignited with hope as they see the tides turning in their favour!
Now, Ayush Badoni, a right-handed batsman, comes to the crease.
IND-A: 114-3 (13.4 overs)
That was another good over for Qasim Akram, conceding just 6 runs (4, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1). Tilak Varma scored his first four of the game, while Nehal is hunting for clear boundaries like a hungry wolf!
IND-A: 112-2(13.1)
After the Indian openers lost their wickets, the Pakistan spinners seemed to stabilize things a bit. In the tenth over, they conceded only 11 runs (1 six, 1 one, 1 one, 1 one, 1 one), and in the eleventh over, they allowed just 8 runs (1 one, 1 one, 1 four, 0, 1).
Nehal Wadhera has contributed with a boundary and a six, scoring 16 runs off 13 balls. Meanwhile, Tilak Varma is struggling to find his rhythm, managing only 10 runs off 12 balls.
IND-A: 99-2(11.2)
Arafat Minhas delivers a slow ball to Prabhsimran, who tried to reverse-sweep but gets caught by Mohammad Imran! Prabhsimran departs after scoring 36 runs off 19 balls, including 3 fours and 3 sixes.
But there was confusion again, was it a catch? The umpire calls for a review. Fans debate whether his hand touched the ground, but the decision stands—out! Yes, Singh is gone now. Both the Indian openers depart after a brilliant start in quick succession.
Nehal Wadhera, left-handed batter, comes to the crease.
IND-A: 76-2(7.4)
Sufiyan Muqeem finally halts the storm that is Abhishek Sharma, breaking 68-run opening stand. He dismisses him caught by Qasim Akram! Abhishek Sharma departs after scoring 35 runs off 22 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes (back-to-back). With his exit, now the captain Tilak Varma, the left-handed batsman, comes to the crease.
IND-A: 69-1(6.2)
That was a SIX! After some confusion over whether it was a boundary or a six, the umpire checked with the third umpire and confirmed it as six runs. Play was briefly halted to reassess. And on the fourth ball, another clean six! Zaman Khan to Prabhsimran, and he’s making the most of it!
INDA - 68-0(6)
Cricket isn't just a game; they say it's a festival in India and its neighbor Pakistan, where fierce rivalries have existed since the beginning! Today the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman is witnessing the crowd going wild, especially for the men in blue as Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh (who have smashed three sixes by now) are leaving no stone unturned—they're absolutely hammering the bowling!
IND-A: 42-0(4.4)
And the same player who silenced opposing crowds in the Indian Premier League for Sunrisers Hyderabad is on fire—Abhishek Sharma has smashed back-to-back boundaries! In just the first over, he’s already making an impact, and Prabhsimran Singh is just on fire, he got a six and a boundary!
IND-A: 18-0(2)
India's young star Abhishek Sharma, along with Prabhsimran Singh, has taken the crease. Muhammad Imran opens the attack for Pakistan. The thrill begins in Oman!
Haider Ali, Muhammad Haris (c & wk), Yasir Khan, Omair Bin Yousaf, Qasim Akram, Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Imran, Zaman Khan, Sufyan Moqim
Tilak Varma (c), Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Nehal Wadhera, Ayush Badoni, Ramandeep Singh, Nishant Sindhu, Rahul Chahar, Anshul Kamboj, Vaibhav Arora, Rasikh Salam
India A captain Tilak Verma won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan A.
Team India, led by Tilak Varma, boasts a wealth of talent in their squad, including Ayush Badoni, Prabhsimran Singh, and Abhishek Sharma who emerged as a star of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. He recently scored a century in India's T20I match against Zimbabwe.
Captain Varma brings a wave of confidence, having played four ODIs and 16 T20Is since making his international debut last year during India's tour of West Indies in 2023.
On the other hand, Pakistan enter the tournament with a strong team captained by Mohammad Haris, who stood out as the most important players of Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) tournament. The batting lineup features talented players like Haider Ali and Haseebullah, both of whom recently received call-ups for the second Test against England, along with Mehran Mumtaz.
India A:
Tilak Varma (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Ramandeep Singh, Anuj Rawat, Prabh Simran Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Anshul Kamboj, Hrithik Shokeen, Aaqib Khan, Vaibhav Arora, Rasikh Salam, Sai Kishore, Rahul Chahar
Pakistan A:
Mohammad Haris (c), Abbas Afridi, Qasim Akram, Ahmed Daniyal, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mohammad Imran, Haseebullah Khan, Yasir Khan, Zaman Khan, Arafat Minhas, Sufiyan Moqim, Mehran Mumtaz, Abdul Samad, Omair Yousuf.
The India A Vs Pakistan A, ACC Men's T20 Emerging Asia Cup 2024 Group B match will be held on October 19, Saturday at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Al Amerat at 7:00 PM IST. The match will telicast live on the Star Sports Network in India. Fans in India can watch the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 Group B matches on the Disney+Hotsar app. In addition, all the matches of the Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 will be available to live-stream on the FanCode app and website.