Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Sai Sudharsan starred as India A stormed into the semi-finals of the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup with a resounding eight-wicket win over Pakistan A at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday.
India A had already booked their semi-final spot in the eight-team 50-over competition, but the victory against Pakistan A ensured they topped Group B to remain the only unbeaten side in the tournament.
Fast bowler Hangargekar bagged five wicket as India A dismissed Pakistan A for 205 in 48 overs. Sudharsan then slammed an unbeaten 104 as India A finished on 210/2 in 36.4 overs.
Opting to bat, Pakistan A kept losing wickets as right-arm pacer Hangargekar bowled an impressive spell to finish with 5/42 from eight overs. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar was the other bowler who stood out, claiming 3/36. Qasim Akram scored 48 batting at No.7 to help Pakistan A post a somewhat respectable total.
India A were in control of the chase from start to finish as opener Sudharsan batted through. After a 58-run opening stand with Abhishek Sharma (20), the left-hander put on a 99-run partnership for the second wicket with Nikin Jose (53).
Sudharsan, who scored a 47-ball 96 in the IPL 2023 final for runners-up Gujarat Titans, completed his hundred in dramatic fashion to close out the match.
{{/usCountry}}Sudharsan, who scored a 47-ball 96 in the IPL 2023 final for runners-up Gujarat Titans, completed his hundred in dramatic fashion to close out the match.
{{/usCountry}}With his team needing eight runs for victory and him being eight runs away from the century, the 21-year-old smashed consecutive sixes to get to the three-figure mark and seal the deal. He finished with 10 fours and three sixes in his 110-ball knock. Skipper Yash Dhull was unbeaten on 21 off 19 balls.
India A, who had earned eight-wicket and nine-wicket wins against UAE A and Nepal A respectively in their first two games, face Bangladesh A in the day-night semi-finals at the Premadasa Stadium on Friday. Sri Lanka A will take on Pakistan A in the other semis, a day game at P. Sara Oval.