Pakistan Shaheens Outclass India A With Comfortable Eight-Wicket Victory At Rising Stars Asia Cup | Cricket News

Maaz Sadaqat played a match-winning knock against India (Picture credit: ACC)

An unexpected batting collapse resulted in a favoured India A team losing to Pakistan Shaheens by eight wickets in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament on Sunday, November 16.

After opting to field first, Pakistan Shaheens made a remarkable comeback by bowling out India A for 136, despite India being well-placed at 91 for three in the 10th over.

In response, the Shaheens comfortably chased down the target of 137 with 40 balls to spare, marking their second consecutive victory in the tournament, while India suffered their first loss after a strong start with a big win against the UAE.

Opener Maaz Sadaqat top-scored for the Shaheens with an unbeaten 47-ball 79, completing an excellent performance after taking two wickets with his left-arm spin. Sadaqat struck seven fours and four sixes during his innings and was given a reprieve when Vaibhav Suryavanshi dropped an easy catch at point.

Asked to bat first, teen batting sensation Suryavanshi quickly amassed a 28-ball 45, and Naman Dhir contributed a 20-ball 35 before the Pakistani bowlers turned the game around.

Medium pacer Shahid Aziz claimed 3/24 in three overs. Saad Masood and Maaz Sadaqat also took two wickets each, as India lost eight wickets for 35 runs in the last 10 overs, having looked set for a total of around 175 to 180 at the halfway mark.

Coming off a record hundred in the previous match, Suryavanshi was in aggressive form, dealing mostly in fours and sixes. However, he was eventually caught in the deep by long-on fielder Mohammad Faiq off the bowling of Sufiyan Muqeem after going for one too many big shots.

The confirmation of Suryavanshi’s wicket after multiple replays changed the game’s momentum as Pakistan staged a brilliant fightback to stifle the remaining India A batters.

Buoyed by the crucial breakthrough, bowlers Aziz, Masood, and Sadaqat showed great discipline to put the pressure back on India A.

Brief scores:

India A: 136 all out in 19 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 45, Naman Dhir 35; Shahid Aziz 3/24).

Pakistan Shaheens: 137/2 in 13.2 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 79 not out).