India-A, India-B, and Afghanistan U19 teams are participating in the U19 Tri-Series being played in India. In the last league match of the tournament, Afghanistan-A handed a crushing 65-run defeat to India-A.
SPORTS NEWS: The Indian-A team suffered a crushing defeat against the Afghanistan U19 team in a league match of the ongoing U19 Tri-Series in India. Afghanistan batted first, scoring 233 runs, and then bundled out the India-A team for just 68 runs. With this loss, India-A has registered its second defeat in this series.
Earlier, Afghanistan had also defeated India-A by six wickets. Now, both teams will clash in the Tri-Series final on November 30. This match promises an exciting contest between the young cricketers.
India-A's Start Was Extremely Poor
The Indian-A team had a very poor start. Opening batsman Wafi Diamond Kachhi was run out on the very first ball. The other opener, Lakshya Raichandani, also returned to the pavilion without scoring. Captain Vihaan Malhotra was out in the fourth over after making just 13 runs. Afghanistan's fast bowler Abdul Ajit delivered an excellent spell, taking three crucial wickets and unsettling India's top order.
For the team, VK Vineeth was the only batsman who scored 63 runs off 62 balls, including 11 fours and one six. However, due to a lack of support from the other end, the team quickly struggled. Afghanistan's spinner Ruhullah Arab dismissed Kanishk Chauhan (16). Additionally, opening bowler Salam sent Abhigyan Kundu (12) and Mohammad Enaam (1) back to the pavilion. India-A lost five wickets for just 85 runs in 11 overs.
Two Half-Centuries in Afghanistan's Batting
Afghanistan's team had a good start after batting first. Khalid Ahmadzai (30) and Usmad Sadat (9) added 39 runs for the first wicket. However, three quick wickets fell thereafter, and the score became 54 for three wickets. Then, Captain Mahboob Khan (50) and Azizullah Miakhil (60) stabilized the innings with an 87-run partnership.
In the final overs, Nooristani Umarjai (28) and Abdul Aziz (15) forged an unbeaten 34-run partnership off 21 balls, pushing the team's total past 230 runs. From India-A's side, Kanishk Chauhan took the most wickets with three. However, the performance of the other bowlers was average.
