India A delivered a commanding performance to defeat Afghanistan A by 101 runs in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, securing their place in the final of the tri-nation series. Half-centuries from Priyansh Arya, Tilak Varma, and Kumar Kushagra, coupled with an all-round display from Nishant Sindhu, powered the Indian side to victory.
Match Overview
India A entered the match under pressure, having won only one of their previous three games. However, this comprehensive win has propelled them into the final. The second finalist will be determined by the match between Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A on Friday.
India A's Innings
Afghanistan A won the toss and elected to bowl first. Openers Priyansh Arya and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided a strong start, adding 75 runs for the first wicket. Sooryavanshi scored 38 off 28 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, before falling short of a big score.
Arya continued his aggressive batting, smashing 58 runs off 32 balls, featuring nine fours and a six. After his dismissal, Ruturaj Gaikwad contributed 30 off 31 balls with four boundaries. Tilak Varma and Kumar Kushagra then stabilized the innings with a crucial 104-run partnership. Varma scored 59 off 75 balls, hitting five fours, while Kushagra made 58 off 67 balls, also with five fours.
Lower-order contributions from Nishant Sindhu (21* off 26 balls) and Vipraj Nigam (30 off 20 balls, four boundaries) propelled India A to a formidable total of 319 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs.
For Afghanistan A, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Abdullah Ahmadzai, and Farmanullah Safi each claimed two wickets.
Afghanistan A's Chase
In response, Afghanistan A's chase got off to a shaky start, losing early wickets to be reduced to 70 for 3. A resilient 87-run partnership between Faisal Shinozada (46 off 56 balls, two fours, one six) and Bahir Shah (57 off 52 balls, four boundaries, one six) revived hopes. However, the required run rate proved too steep.
Nishant Sindhu was the standout bowler for India A, taking 4 wickets for 31 runs. Yash Thakur supported with figures of 2 for 48. Anshul Kamboj, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj, and Anukul Roy also chipped in with a wicket each. Afghanistan A were eventually bowled out for 218 in 36.5 overs.
Nishant Sindhu was awarded the Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
