India A has set a massive target of 350 runs for Afghanistan A in the ongoing tri-series in Sri Lanka. Three batsmen scored half-centuries in the match.
India A gave Afghanistan A a challenging target of 350 runs.
Prabhsimran Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Tilak Varma scored brilliant half-centuries.
Young batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi played a classical innings of 44 runs in 22 balls.
Afghanistan's bowler Abdullah Ahmadzai took five wickets.
Dambulla | In the ongoing ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka, India A has shown a powerful performance against Afghanistan A. In the match held in Dambulla, after losing the toss and batting first, the Indian team posted a massive score of 349 for 9 in 49 overs. Three batsmen from the team scored half-centuries, but it was young Vaibhav Suryavanshi who stole the show.
Stormy Start by Vaibhav and Prabhsimran
Afghanistan A's captain Imran Mir won the toss and invited India to bat first. His decision proved wrong right from the start.
India's opening batsmen Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Prabhsimran Singh gave the team an explosive start. The duo added 74 runs for the first wicket in just 7.1 overs.
Won Hearts with a Classical Innings
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi caught everyone's attention with his innings. He scored 44 runs off just 22 balls without hitting a single six.
His innings included 9 fours, which he hit by finding excellent gaps on the off-side. However, he missed his half-century and was caught behind.
Vaibhav's innings showed the importance of classical shots even in the era of aggressive cricket.
Middle-Order Batsmen Shine
After Vaibhav's dismissal, Priyans Arya (8) returned to the pavilion quickly. After that, Prabhsimran Singh, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad, steadied the innings.
Both shared a crucial partnership of 79 runs for the third wicket. Prabhsimran played a brilliant innings of 84 runs off 69 balls with the help of 14 fours.
Then, captain Tilak Varma came to the crease and added 78 runs for the fourth wicket with Gaikwad. Ruturaj Gaikwad was out for 66 runs.
Captain Tilak Varma's Half-Century
After Gaikwad's dismissal, Ayush Badoni lost his wicket on the very first ball. However, captain Tilak Varma held one end.
Tilak played a captain's knock of 66 runs off 73 balls. In the end, Suryansh Shedge made a quick contribution of 40 runs off 27 balls, helping India reach a score of 349.
At one point, India's score seemed to be heading past 400, but the Afghan bowlers made a comeback in the end. Abdullah Ahmadzai bowled brilliantly, taking 5 wickets.
Apart from him, Farmanullah Safi took three wickets and captain Imran Mir took one. The match was reduced to 49 overs per side due to rain.
With this huge score, India A has strengthened its grip on the match. Chasing a target of 350 runs will be a major challenge for Afghanistan A, which has further solidified India's position in the series.
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