New Delhi: Afghanistan beat India by 20 runs in the second semi-final of the Emerging Asia Cup 2024 at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) on Friday. Indian batters failed to chase down the 207 runs target and only managed to score 186 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the 20 overs.
Chasing the big target, The Men in Blue lost three big wickets in the powerplay. Allah Ghazanfar dismissed Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran cheaply while Abdul Rahman removed captain Tilak Varma on 16 runs in the sixth over. Nehal Wadhera and Ayush Badoni tried to stitch a partnership but lost their wickets after getting a good start.
Ramandeep Singh smashed 64 runs off 34 balls and helped Team India to fight back in the match. He stitched a crucial 68-run partnership with Nishant Sindhu to put some pressure back on Afghanistan bowlers but India fell 20 runs short of the target.
Sediqullah Atal and Zubaid Akbari shine with bat for Afghanistan
Sediqullah Atal and Zubaid Akbari built a 137-run partnership for the opening wicket and provided their team with a great start. Both batters played stunning shots all around the ground and put Indian bowlers under pressure. Atal amassed 83 runs off 52 balls, his explosive knock was laced with seven boundaries and four maximums while Akbari scored 64 runs off 41 balls with the help of five boundaries and four maximums.
Aaqib Khan removed Akabri in the 15th over and provided Team India with their first wicket. Rasikh Salam dismissed Darwish Rasooli and Sediqullah Atal in the 18th over. Karim Janat played a sensational innings in the end and smacked two maximums in the 19th over. He scored 41 runs off 20 balls and helped his team to post a big target for the Men in Blue. Afghanistan will take on Sri Lanka in the final of the Emerging Asia Cup 2024 on October 27, Sunday.
