In a stunning reversal of fortunes, the Pakistan Shaheens handed favourites India A a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament on Sunday. A spectacular batting collapse from India A was followed by a commanding, unbeaten chase from Pakistan opener Maaz Sadaqat, who guided his team to victory with 40 balls to spare.
India A’s Dramatic Batting Implosion
Choosing to bat first, India A seemed to be in a commanding position at 91/3 after 10 overs, with teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi (45 off 28) and Naman Dhir (35 off 20) providing a flying start. A total near 180 looked imminent.
However, the innings unraveled in spectacular fashion. The dismissal of Suryavanshi, caught in the deep after a review, proved to be the turning point. From there, the Indian batting lineup crumbled, losing eight wickets for just 35 runs in the final 10 overs.
The Pakistan bowlers, led by medium pacer Shahid Aziz (3/24), seized the momentum. Left-arm spinner Maaz Sadaqat (2/18) also chipped in with crucial wickets, triggering a collapse that restricted India A to a meager 136 all-out.
Sadaqat’s All-Round Masterclass Seals the Win
In response, the Pakistan Shaheens made light work of the target. Opener Maaz Sadaqat played a chanceless and explosive knock, finishing unbeaten on 79 from just 47 balls (7 fours, 4 sixes). He was given a life when Suryavanshi dropped a simple chance at point, but he made India A pay dearly for the lapse.
Sadaqat, who had already contributed with the ball, anchored the chase perfectly. The winning runs were fittingly hit by Mohammad Faiq, who launched a massive six to spark wild celebrations in the Shaheens’ camp.
What This Means
This emphatic victory marks Pakistan’s second consecutive win, solidifying their position as a strong contender in the tournament. For India A, it is a reality check after their commanding opening victory, highlighting concerns about their middle-order stability under pressure.
The Shaheens will look to carry this momentum forward, while India A will need to regroup quickly and address their finishing woes with the bat.
Brief Scores:
India A 136 all-out (Suryavanshi 45, Dhir 35; Aziz 3/24, Sadaqat 2/18) lost to Pakistan Shaheens 137/2 in 13.2 overs (Sadaqat 79*) by 8 wickets.
