Pakistan A Clinch Thriller Against India A to Reach Semi-Finals
In a high-stakes Emerging Teams Asia Cup clash, Pakistan A defeated arch-rivals India A by 28 runs to book their semi-final berth. All-rounder Mohammad Sadaqat stole the spotlight with a match-winning performance, avenging Pakistan’s earlier group-stage loss and underscoring their rising talent pool.
Sadaqat’s Match-Winning Display
Mohammad Sadaqat, a rising star in Pakistan’s cricketing ranks, delivered a career-defining all-round show. Promoted up the order, he hammered a fiery 64 off 42 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes), dismantling India A’s pace attack featuring Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Harshit Rana. His aggressive batting lifted Pakistan A to 252/8.
With the ball, Sadaqat’s off-spin dismantled India’s middle order, claiming 3/38 in 9 overs. Key scalps included captain Yash Dhull (39) and Nishant Sindhu (34), derailing India’s chase.
India A’s Batting Struggles
Chasing 253, India A collapsed early, losing openers Abhishek Sharma and Sai Sudharsan cheaply. Despite Dhull and Sindhu’s resistance, the middle order crumbled under pressure. Arshad Iqbal (2/40) and Sufiyan Muqeem (2/35) tightened the screws, restricting India to 224 in 47 overs.
Key Takeaways
Pakistan A: Sadaqat’s emergence as a clutch performer signals strong bench strength. Their semi-final opponent will be either Sri Lanka A or Bangladesh A.
India A: Inconsistent batting and lack of partnerships ended their campaign prematurely, prompting introspection.
Social Media Frenzy
The match ignited Twitter, with #PAKvsIND and #Sadaqat trending. Fans and ex-players hailed Pakistan’s composure, while India’s supporters critiqued their team’s faltering chase.
Road Ahead
Pakistan A, now title contenders, aim to maintain momentum in the semi-finals. India A exits with lessons ahead of future tournaments.
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By [Your Name], Sports Correspondent, NextMinuteNews
