Afghanistan cricket team created history with their 28-run win over India Under-23 in a Group A match of the Asian Cricket Council’s Emerging Cup. This was the first instance when they defeated a team from a Test playing nation in any format of the game.
Asked to bat first, Afghanistan could manage a modest 184 for 7 in their 50 overs with Samiullah Shenwari top-scoring with 43 runs. Openers, Karim Sadiq (25) and Mohammad Shahzad (38) put u a 53-run stand to form a foundation. However, stringent bowling from the Indians meant the Afghans couldn’t get past the 200-run mark.
For India U-23, Akshar Patel (10-1-33-2) and Baba Aparajith (6-0-16-2) picked up two wickets apiece while Sandeep Sharma and Ashok Menaria scalped one each.
Chasing a comfortable total, the Indian colts lost Unmukt Chand (10) early on to Hamza Hotak. Chand’s fellow opener, Lokesh Rahul scored a labored 51 off 80 balls while the rest of the batsmen failed to cross 40. Ankit Bawne contributed with 39 runs in the middle-order.
The star with the ball for Afghanistan was their skipper and off-spinner Muhammad Nabi who finished with fine figures of (10-1-32-3). He was ably supported by Rahmat Shah (10-0-40-2).
At the end of their 50 overs, India U-23 were 156 for 9 – 28 runs adrift the victory target.
The Indians have less than 24 hours to regroup after the defeat as they take on UAE in the semi-final on Friday.
Brief Scores: Afghanistan 184-7 (Samiullah Shenwari 42; Baba Aparajith 2/16) beat India U-23 156-9 (Lokesh Rahul; Muhammad Nabi 3/32) by 28 runs.
