India A Succumb to Dramatic Batting Collapse in Asia Cup Defeat
In a high-stakes encounter at the Rising Stars Asia Cup tournament in Doha, India A suffered a crushing 8-wicket defeat at the hands of Pakistan Shaheens on Sunday, November 17, 2025. The match was marked by a stunning batting collapse, on-field controversies, and the continuation of the no-handshake tradition established by the senior teams.
Batting Implosion and On-Field Drama
India A, led by Jitesh Sharma, appeared to be building a formidable total when Vaibhav Suryavanshi (45) and Naman Dhir were at the crease. The team had reached a comfortable 91/2, but the innings unraveled spectacularly after both set batsmen fell in quick succession in the 9th and 10th overs.
The collapse was triggered by Naman Dhir's dismissal, which was followed by an angry finger-pointing sendoff from Pakistani bowler Saad Masood. The umpires were quick to intervene and warn the bowler for his excessive celebration.
From a promising 91/2, the Indian innings disintegrated to a meager 136 all out in 19 overs, with Pakistan's Shahid Aziz claiming 3/24. The Indian batsmen struggled to handle the variations in pace from the Pakistani bowling attack, with Ashutoush Sharma suffering a contentious LBW decision where the impact was noticeably outside the off stump.
Controversial Reprieve and Dominant Chase
Pakistan's chase began with early fortune when Maaz Sadaqat received a massive reprieve in the 9th over. A relay catch at the boundary line, which appeared conclusive to most observers, was surprisingly ruled not out by the TV umpire, leaving the Indian players visibly frustrated.
Sadaqat, who had nearly walked off the field, returned to capitalize on his second chance, smashing an unbeaten 79 from just 44 deliveries. His dominant performance, complemented by his earlier two-wicket haul, earned him the Player of the Match award.
Pakistan Shaheens chased down the target of 137 in just 13.2 overs, losing only two wickets in the process. India's pace attack of Gurjapneet Singh and Yash Thakur lacked control during the powerplay, leaking boundaries and extras that allowed Pakistan to cruise to victory.
No-Handshake Tradition Continues
Before the match began, players from both teams avoided the traditional handshakes, continuing the trend started by the senior sides during the Asia Cup in September. Indian T20 skipper Suryakumar Yadav had initiated this practice as a show of solidarity for victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
India A captain Jitesh Sharma followed his senior's footsteps by not shaking hands with Pakistan Shaheens skipper Irfan Khan at the toss. The teams went their separate ways after the national anthems, maintaining the diplomatic distance that has characterized recent India-Pakistan cricketing encounters.
Road to Semifinals
With this victory, Pakistan A secured their place in the semifinals with two wins from two matches. India A now face a must-win situation against Oman in their next match to confirm their spot in the last four of the tournament.
The comprehensive defeat exposes concerns about India A's middle-order stability and bowling effectiveness under pressure, areas that will need immediate attention as they prepare for their crucial encounter against Oman.
