India A achieved a resounding eight-wicket victory over Pakistan A in the ACC Emerging Asia Cup 2023 Pool B match held in Colombo. With this win, India A maintained an unbeaten record in the league stage.
Sai Sudharsan, the emerging batting sensation, stole the spotlight with a magnificent century, showcasing his elegant strokeplay. He remained unbeaten throughout his innings, scoring an impressive 104 runs off 110 balls. Sudharsan’s exceptional performance was complemented by Rajvardhan Hangargekar, the talented pacer, who took a remarkable five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5 for 42 in his eight overs.
Batting first, Pakistan A managed to post a total of 205 runs in 48 overs, largely due to Hangargekar’s outstanding bowling performance. However, India A’s response was swift and dominant, comfortably chasing down the target in just 36.4 overs, thanks to Sudharsan’s spectacular innings.
This victory sealed India A’s successful campaign in the league stage, leaving them in a strong position for the knockout rounds of the Emerging Asia Cup.
Sudharsan’s dominance was on full display as he took on senior Pakistan team pacer Shahnawaz Dahani with sheer confidence. First, he smashed a powerful pull shot for a six, and then effortlessly lofted the ball over the boundary for another maximum. This impressive display allowed Sudharsan to bring up his fourth List A century in a stylish manner.
Partnering with Nikin Jose from Kerala, Sudharsan built a formidable 99-run partnership for the second wicket, effectively crushing any hopes of a Pakistan comeback. Nikin contributed with a solid knock of 53 runs off 64 balls.
Sudharsan’s remarkable performance was not limited to this match alone, as he had also performed exceptionally well against Nepal in a previous encounter. In this game, he showcased his prowess by hitting 10 boundaries along with three sixes. Once he settled in, Sudharsan’s drives on both sides of the wicket were regal, asserting his authority.
What made Sudharsan’s batting even more remarkable was the way he managed to keep the strike rotating, accumulating nearly 40 singles during his innings. Credit also goes to the skipper, Yash Dhull, who provided support by scoring 21 not out off 19 balls and allowed Sudharsan to go for his milestone by providing him with the majority of the strike during their valuable 53-run partnership. Sudharsan’s outstanding performance and Dhull’s support were key factors in India A’s impressive victory over Pakistan A in the ACC Emerging Asia Cup 2023 match.
Sudharsan’s impressive century was the highlight of the match as he sealed India A’s victory with a delightful six over extra cover when just two runs were required for the win. Speaking about his innings, Sudharsan mentioned that he focused on risk-free runs, opting for ones and twos while reducing dot balls. He found it challenging to face spinners on the tricky wicket and preferred dealing with the fast bowlers instead.
While Sudharsan’s heroics were pivotal in India A’s triumph, credit must also be given to bowlers Hangargekar and Suthar for their outstanding performances. They played crucial roles in restricting the Pakistan batters, as none of them managed to reach the fifty-run mark. Qasim Akram and Mubasir Khan’s 53-run partnership for the seventh wicket helped Pakistan reach a somewhat respectable total of 205 runs.
Hangargekar, known for his muscular physique from Maharashtra, bowled a mix of back-of-length deliveries with occasional fuller ones that proved effective. His pace, consistently around 140 km/h, made it challenging for the opposition’s top-order batters to play aggressive shots on the up. On the other hand, Suthar, the skillful spinner from Rajasthan, varied his pace and effectively used loop to claim his share of dismissals.
In the end, India A dominated the match, reaching the target of 206 runs comfortably, with Sudharsan’s unbeaten 104 and Nikin Jose’s contribution of 53. Their exceptional performances ensured a convincing eight-wicket win over Pakistan A in the ACC Emerging Asia Cup 2023 encounter.