In a thrilling start to the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams T20 Asia Cup 2024, Pakistan Shaheens narrowly lost to India ‘A’ by seven runs in their first match at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground in Muscat on Saturday night. Chasing a target of 184 runs, the Shaheens managed to score 176-7 in their 20 overs, with Arafat Minhas leading the team with a commendable 41 runs off 29 balls.
The Shaheens faced an early setback as skipper Mohammad Haris was dismissed on just the second ball after hitting a six on his first delivery. Following Haris’s departure, Omair Bin Yousuf fell for just two runs, leaving the team at 21 runs in 2.3 overs. However, Yasir Khan (33 off 22 balls, including 1 four and 3 sixes) and Qasim Akram (27 off 21 balls with 4 fours) formed a crucial partnership of 54 runs for the third wicket, putting the Shaheens back in contention.
After Yasir was spectacularly caught by Ramandeep Singh near the boundary, the Shaheens found themselves at 75-3 in the 8.1 over mark. Qasim followed Yasir shortly after, but Arafat Minhas, batting at No. 5, struck five fours and one six, keeping the chase alive while forming a vital 48-run partnership with Haider Ali (9 off 15 balls).
Haider’s exit in the 15th over brought Abdul Samad to the crease, who quickly made an impact with a brisk 25 off 15 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes, putting pressure on the India ‘A’ bowlers. The Shaheens needed 24 runs off the last two overs, which was cut down to 17 in the final over. However, Samad was caught by Abhishek Sharma on the first ball of the last over.
Mohammad Abbas Afridi remained not out at 18 off nine deliveries, hitting four boundaries, including two in the last over, but the Shaheens fell short of the target by seven runs. Anshul Kamboj was the standout bowler for India ‘A’, claiming 3 wickets for 33 runs, while Nishant Sindhu took 2-15, and Rasikh Salam finished with 2-30.
In the earlier innings, after winning the toss, India ‘A’ opted to bat first. The opening pair of Prabhsimran Singh (36 runs off 19 balls, including 3 fours and 3 sixes) and Abhishek Sharma (35 runs off 22 balls, with 5 fours and 2 sixes) laid a solid foundation, putting together a partnership of 68 runs before Sufiyan Moqim struck on the first ball after the powerplay. Sufiyan also took out Nehal Wadhera (25 runs off 22 balls, with 2 fours and 1 six) in the 14th over, as the Shaheens tightened their grip, conceding only 54 runs between the 6th and 15th overs.
Tilak Verma (44 runs off 35 balls, including 2 fours and 2 sixes) anchored the innings for India ‘A’ during his 12.1 overs at the crease and shared a crucial 43-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Ramandeep Singh (17 off 11 balls, with 1 four and 1 six), helping India ‘A’ reach a total of 183-8 in their allotted overs. Apart from Sufiyan’s impressive bowling figures of 2-28, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Qasim Akram, and Zaman Khan each took one wicket.
Looking ahead, the Pakistan Shaheens are set to face the hosts, Oman, in their next match on Monday, October 21, at 2 PM PKT.
Match Summary:
India ‘A’ defeated Pakistan Shaheens by seven runs at Oman Cricket Academy Ground, Muscat.
India ‘A’: 183-8 in 20 overs (Tilak Verma 44, Prabhsimran Singh 36, Abhishek Sharma 35, Nehal Wadhera 25; Sufiyan Moqim 2-28, Arafat Minhas 1-4)
Pakistan Shaheens: 176-7 in 20 overs (Arafat Minhas 41, Yasir Khan 33, Qasim Akram 27, Abdul Samad 25; Anshul Kamboj 3-33, Nishant Sindhu 2-15, Rasikh Salam 2-30)
Player of the Match: Anshul Kamboj (India ‘A’)
