Courtesy: ACC
On Sunday, October 27, Afghanistan A defeated Sri Lanka A by seven wickets in the final , to win the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 title. At the Al Amerat Cricket Ground Oman Cricket (Ministry Turf 1), Sri Lanka A posted a below par total of 133/7 despite an exceptional fifty from Sahan Arachchige before Afghanistan A overhauled the target with Sediqullah Atal’s measured half-century in 18.1 overs.
After winning the toss, the captain of Sri Lanka A, Nuwanidu Fernando opted to bat first, but they were put firmly on the backfoot by some exceptional bowling by Afghanistan A in the power play overs. Sri Lanka A were reduced to 15/4 in 4.2 overs with four of their top order batters including Nuwanidu Fernando himself trugging back to the pavilion with single digit scores to their name.
Following the early collapse, Sahan Arachchige took control of the Sri Lanka A innings, and put together vital stands of 50 runs with Pawan Rathnayake and 42 runs with Nimesh Vimukthi, to ensure they posted 133/7 total in their allotted 20 overs, something to compete with in the all-important final. Sahan Arachchige scored 64 off 47 with six fours, while for Afghanistan A, Bilal Sami took three wickets and Allah Ghazanfar picked up a couple of scalps as well.
In the run chase, Afghanistan A lost the wicket of Zubaid Akbari on the first ball of their innings, but his opening partner Sediqullah Atal took control of the team’s innings from that point onwards with a measured batting approach. He stitched together a 43-run stand for the second wicket with captain Darwish Rasooli before a partnership of 52 runs for the third wicket alongside Karim Janat, to put Sri Lanka A just about out of the contest.
Sediqullah Atal stayed unbeaten on 55 off 55 with three fours and one maximum, while Mohammad Ishaq clinched the title for Afghanistan A with a four on the bowling of Eshan Malinga at the start of the 19th over.
