• Source:JND
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Ramandeep Singh's 50 In Vain: Afghanistan A put on a dominant performance to defeat India A by 20 runs in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup T20 semi-final, securing a spot in the final against Sri Lanka A. Opting to bat, Afghanistan A made full use of their decision with an explosive 137-run opening stand between Sediqullah Atal (83 off 52 balls) and Zubaid Akbari (64 off 41 balls), posting the tournament's highest score of 206/4.

India A’s chase got off to a rocky start, losing five wickets by the 13th over. However, Ramandeep Singh led a spirited comeback, forming a rapid 68-run partnership with Nishant Sindhu in just 31 balls. Ramandeep’s half-century reignited India A’s hopes, but a miscommunication resulted in Nishant’s run-out after a quick 23 off 13 balls, leaving India A needing 53 from the last three overs.

Afghanistan’s Abdul Rahman (2/32) delivered in the final over, dismissing Ramandeep on the last ball and restricting India A to 186/7, securing a 20-run victory. Afghanistan A now advances to the tournament final, where they will face Sri Lanka A for the title.

In the first semifinal, Sri Lanka A put up a splendid bowling show to restrict Pakistan Shaheens to a modest 135/9 before cruising to a seven-wicket win. They chased down the target in 16.3 overs.

Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha was the architect of their win, returning with 4/21, while Nipun Ranskika and Eshan Malinga bagged two each.

The final is slated on Sunday.

Afghanistan A ended the powerplay on a high, amassing 20 runs in the sixth over to reach 61 without loss, as Zubaid and Sediqullah dismantled the Indian bowling attack.

Zubaid hammered four sixes and five fours, while Sediqullah contributed with four sixes and seven boundaries in a thrilling partnership.

Following Zubaid's exit, Karim Janat maintained the momentum with a swift 20-ball 41, featuring two sixes and four fours.

Pacer Rasikh Salam then delivered an inspiring death-over spell, claiming three crucial wickets, including two in consecutive balls, to stymie Afghanistan's scoring surge.

Rasikh first bowled Sediqullah around his legs in the 18th over, followed immediately by Darwish Rasooli (0), who dragged one onto his stumps.

Karim continued the onslaught but was finally dismissed by Rasikh in the penultimate delivery, ending an electrifying innings.

Unlike Afghanistan A, India A suffered a jittery start and lost three wickets inside the powerplay to leave their chase in disarray.

Allah Mohammed Ghazanfar accounted for Abhishek Sharma (7) and Prabhsimran Singh (19) while skipper Tilak Varma (16) fell to Abdul Rahman to reduce India to 48/3 in 5.4 overs.

Ayush Badoni (31; 24b) and Nehal Wadhera (20; 14b) then kept the scoreboard ticking before Afghanistan again triggered a collapse.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan A 206/4; 20 overs (Sediqullah Atal 83, Zubaid Akbari 64, Karim Janat 41; Rasikh Salam 3/25) bt India A 186/7; 20 overs (Ramandeep Singh 64) by 20 runs.

Inputs from PTI