PAK A vs IND A: Maaz Sadaqat produced a scintillating all-round performance as Pakistan A stormed to an emphatic nine-wicket victory over India A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament. The 20-year-old claimed two wickets and made 79* off 47 balls to help Pakistan slide into the semis with successive victories.
PAK A vs IND A: India ‘A’ Start Strong Through Teen Sensation Suryavanshi
India A once again rode on the fearless strokeplay of 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who had earlier smashed a memorable 144 against UAE. The surface offered enough grip and turn, and young Suryavanshi showed remarkable maturity in the way he countered pace and spin with equal confidence.
His range of crisp strokes inside-out drives, clean hits over midwicket, and sharp pick-ups against spin powered a 49-run stand with Naman Dhir. After an early loss in the form of Priyansh Arya, India A motored along at a brisk rate until the start of the tenth over. Suryavanshi eventually fell for a classy 28-ball 45 while trying to go big off Sufyan Muqeem.
Sadaqat’s Spell Sparks India A’s Batting Collapse
The fall of Suryavanshi’s wicket marked a dramatic turn in momentum. Pakistan A brought on Maaz Sadaqat, whose tight left-arm spin plugged the holes instantly. He choked the runs with intelligent angles and variations in pace, which invited errors.
Jitesh Sharma, off a blistering 83*, mis-hit a lofted shot to long-off, while Nehal Wadhera was stumped after being deceived by drift. In between, Ashutosh Sharma fell to a contentious lbw decision. Sadaqat’s outstanding spell of 3-1-12-2 opened the floodgates.
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Right-arm seamer Shahid Aziz cashed in on the mayhem, cleaning up the lower order. India A, who appeared well-set for 180+, folded for 136 all out, losing 8 wickets for 45 runs.
Sadaqat’s Powerplay Onslaught Ends India A’s Hopes
Chasing 137 on a deteriorating surface, Sadaqat wasted little time in asserting the dominance of Pakistan A. Dropped early by Wadhera, he launched into a flurry of boundaries, first off left-arm seamer Gurjapneet Singh and later leg-spinner Suyash Sharma.
Pakistan A raced past fifty inside five overs, thanks to Sadaqat’s clean ball-striking, including a flat-bat six and back-to-back boundaries which broke India A’s rhythm. Even after Mohammad Naeem fell, Pakistan A never lost their grip.
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Sadaqat was also innovative, reverse-sweeping Naman Dhir for six en route to his half-century off a mere 31 balls. He survived two more chances, one off a top edge and another off a controversial relay catch, but proved unstoppable to finish 79 off 47 deliveries* to seal victory in emphatic style.
Clinical Finish Sends Pakistan A Through With Sadaqat anchoring the chase, Pakistan A won the game against IND A by nine wickets for a well-deserved place in the semi-finals of the Asia Cup Rising Stars. India A never recovered once the collapse started after a promising start.
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