Rising batting sensation Sai Sudharsan’s scintillating century combined with pacer Rajvardhan Hangargekar’s brilliant five-wicket haul propelled India A to a resounding eight-wicket triumph over Pakistan A in the league stage of the Emerging Asia Cup. The match, held at Colombo, witnessed a stunning display of cricketing prowess as India A concluded the league stage with an impeccable all-win record.
Having won the toss, Pakistan elected to bat first but struggled to find their footing against Indian bowling attack. Pakistan’s innings culminated at a modest 205 runs in 48 overs, with Hangargekar wreaking havoc with his spellbinding figures of 5 for 42 in eight overs. In pursuit of the target, India A commenced their innings in a determined fashion. Openers Abhishek and Sudharsan showcased their mettle, amassing an unbeaten partnership of 52 runs within the first 10 overs. However, the breakthrough eventually came for Pakistan when Mubasir Khan dismissed Abhishek for 20 runs off 28 balls. India A’s score stood at 58 for 1 in 11.1 overs, but the dismissal only fueled Sudharsan’s determination to lead his team to triumph. Nikin Jose, hailing from Kerala, joined Sudharsan at the crease and together they forged a vital partnership that crushed any hopes of a Pakistani resurgence. Their impressive 99-run alliance for the second wicket further solidified India A’s dominance over their rivals. The duo’s remarkable collaboration showcased their exceptional understanding and skillful stroke play. Sudharsan, displaying remarkable composure and finesse, achieved his well-deserved half-century in just 53 balls, punctuating the milestone with a towering six. Their partnership propelled India A past the 100-run mark, and by the 20th over, they had reached a commendable score of 109 for 1, with Sudharsan still standing strong at 54* alongside Jose’s undefeated 31*. As the match progressed, Sudharsan and Jose continued to tighten their grip on victory, diminishing Pakistan A’s hopes with each passing delivery.
The 150-run mark was breached in the 28th over, underlining India A’s unwavering dominance. Jose’s own half-century arrived in 58 balls, showcasing his contribution to the team’s march towards triumph. With a combination of elegant stroke play and astute decision-making, Sudharsan and Jose steered India A ever closer to a comprehensive victory. Their partnership exuded confidence and determination, leaving no room for doubt about the outcome. Finally, Sudharsan’s unbeaten knock of 104 runs from 110 balls sealed the deal for India A, as they comfortably achieved the target in just 36.4 overs.