- By Vishal Pushkar
- Sat, 07 Oct 2023 03:21 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In their inaugural appearance at the Asian Games, the Indian men's cricket team secured the gold medal after their final clash against Afghanistan was called off due to rain. The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side was declared the winners based on their higher seeding in the continental tournament on Saturday.
Afghanistan was asked to bat first and had reached 112 for 5 in 18.2 overs when persistent rain intervened at the Zhejiang University of Technology Cricket Field. Unfortunately, the match never resumed from that point. Afghanistan's innings got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets within the first four overs, with Zubaid Akbari (5), Mohammad Shahzad (4), and Noor Ali Zadran (1) falling early.
The breakthrough for India came from Shivam Dube (1-0-4-1), who dismissed Akbari with a rising delivery. Shahzad was caught behind off a delivery from left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh (3-0-17-1). Zadran was run out after a Ravi Bishnoi throw from deep square-leg resulted in Jitesh Sharma dislodging the stumps. Shahidullah then played a crucial role in reviving Afghanistan's innings, scoring an unbeaten 49 from 43 balls.
The situation seemed promising for Afghanistan when skipper Gulbadin Naib entered the crease, and he contributed to a valuable 60-run partnership with Shahidullah, which added some respectability to Afghanistan's total. However, their progress was halted by adverse weather conditions.
Explained: However, as rain persisted and the match could not resume, the match referee, Graeme Labrooy from Sri Lanka, decided to abandon the game. Consequently, India claimed their first-ever gold medal in cricket at the Asian Games, as they held a superior seeding in the competition.
Brief scores: Afghanistan 112/5 in 18.2 overs (Shahidullah 49 not out) vs India. (Match abandoned)