In a close ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 semifinal, Afghanistan A prevailed over India A by 20 runs, thus setting up a date with Sri Lanka A in the tournament final on October 27, Sunday. Afghanistan bowlers carried forward the momentum provided by openers Sediqullah Atal and Zubaid Akbari, who put India A on the back foot in the first half of the encounter itself. Controversy Erupts During IND A vs AFG A ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 Semifinal After Zubaid Akbari Refuses To Leave Field Despite Given Out; Forces Match Officials and Tilak Varma Into Action (Watch Video).

Chasing 207, India A's innings never took off, with both Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh getting out in under four overs, with Allah Ghazanfar doing the damage. Captain Tilak Varma managed a 16 off 14 before Abdul Rahman claimed the Mumbai Indians star-batter.

Ayush Badoni and Nehal Wadhera snitched a small 32-run stand, but Sharafuddin Ashraf broke the resistance. Ashraf got Badoni's wicket on 31, after which a mishap resulted in Wadhera getting run out on 20.

Ramandeep Singh kept India A in the hunt, adding 50 runs with Nishant Sindhu in under 24 balls. Sindhu joined the party soon, and upped the ante, hitting Abdul Rahman for three consecutive fours, only to get run out for a 13-ball 23.

Ramandeep Singh did manage to bring up his fifty but failed to help India A across the finish line, resulting in Tilak Varma and Co.'s ouster from the competition. Sri Lanka A Enter Final of ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 With Seven Wicket Victory Over Pakistan A; Ahan Wickramasinghe, Lahiru Udara, Dushan Hemantha Shine for Sri Lankans.

Afghanistan Achieves A Mammoth Total

Batting first, Afghanistan were off to a rollicking start, with openers Zubaid Akbari, and Sediqullah Atal getting off to a brisk start. The duo added 61 runs in the first powerplay and soon reached their respective fifties.

Akbari reached his half-century in 33 balls, while Atal took 38 deliveries to reach the milestone, also bringing up Afghanistan A's 100-run.

Aaqib Khan provided India with the first breakthrough, getting rid of Akbari for 64, after which Karim Jannat showcased his might with the bat. Despite Atal and Darwish Rasool falling in the same over against Rasikh Salam, Jannat continued his onslaught, and slammed a quick-fire 41 off 20, helping Afghanistan A post 206.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 25, 2024 10:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).