New Delhi: Afghanistan A scored a stunning four-run victory over a strong India A team via DLS method in a rain-affected tri-series match on Thursday.India A posted a mammoth total of 349/9 in 49 overs, but Afghanistan ADLS were ahead of the tie score when rain forced an early end to the match. After several rain interruptions, Afghanistan A were given a revised target of 294 runs in 38 overs.Under the leadership of Imran and Bahr Shah chasing Afghanistan’s targetAfghanistan got off to a positive start with skipper Imran and Hasan Isa Khel taking on the Indian bowling attack. Imran remained not out by scoring 75 runs off 70 balls while Hasan scored 34 runs off 29 balls.Bahr Shah then supported his captain and scored 51 runs off 52 balls. The pair forged a crucial partnership and took Afghanistan A to 177/2 in 25.5 overs before rain stopped play again.When the DLS calculations were made, Afghanistan A were four runs ahead of the required draw score, giving them a memorable win.India A’s batsmen are dominant.Earlier, India AK’s top order put up a strong batting display. Captain Tilak Vermavice-captain Rituraj Gaikwad And opener Prabhasmaran Singh scored all half-centuries as Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to slow down the scoring pace.Teenage opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi once again impressed with an aggressive innings. The left-hander scored 44 off just 22 balls, hitting nine fours and scoring at a strike rate of 200.Vibhu and Prabhasmaran put on 74 runs for the opening wicket in just 7.1 overs to give India a brilliant start.Prabhasmaran, Gaikwad and Tilak keep India on track.Vaibhu’s innings ended when he tried a ramp shot against Abdullah Ahmedzai and gave the ball to wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq. Ahmadzai was Afghanistan’s best bowler, finishing with figures of 5/68.Prabhasmaran continued the momentum and scored 84 runs off 69 balls. He added 79 runs with Gaikwad for the third wicket before falling just short of a century.Gaikwad then shared a 78-run partnership with Tilak Verma as both batsmen registered fifty-plus scores for the second time in a row in the tournament.A late flourish takes India past 300.India suffered a brief setback when Gaekwad and Ayush Baduni were dismissed by Farmanullah Safi in consecutive balls to reduce the score from 245/3 to 245/5.However, Tilak was supported by Suresh Shidge, who played a blistering knock of 40 off 27 balls. The duo added 70 runs for the sixth wicket, helping India cross the 300-run mark.India will next face Sri Lanka A in Dambulla on June 15.Captain’s reaction Adjudged player of the match, Afghanistan A captain Imran praised the team’s belief and positive attitude.“It was our first match and we played natural cricket,” he said.India A captain Tilak Verma admitted that the rain-affected conditions and DLS calculations ultimately worked against him.“We batted well. But unfortunately, the way DLS works…Afghanistan A batted well but at the same time we thought it would be difficult to chase down 294 runs in 38 overs. Bowling is not a concern, but we will go back to the drawing board. Our aim is to win the next two games and make it to the final,” Tilak said.
