India A lose Super Over thriller as Bangla Tigers roar into Asia Cup Rising Stars final
Bangladesh A qualify for their first Asia Cup Rising Stars final in six years after defeating India A in a thrilling Super Over tie.
New Delhi: India lost a nail-biting semifinal in a Super Over as Bangladesh roared into the Men's Asia Cup Rising Stars final at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium, Doha, Qatar.
The remarkable semi-final ended in an anti-climactic fashion, as Bangladesh themselves, chasing just 1 run in the Super Over, lost a wicket on the first ball before clinching the contest after Suyash Sharma bowled a wide down the leg side, which could have ended up as a wicket for India. Jitesh Sharma, captain and wicketkeeper, missed a stumping down the leg side, triggering wild celebrations in the Bangladesh camp.
Chasing 195 to win, India forced the match into a Super Over after Nehal Wadhera and Harsh Dubey ran three runs on the final ball following a brain-fade moment by Bangladesh wicketkeeper Akbar Ali. However, the Indian team failed to capitalise on the momentum and lost two wickets in two balls, setting a target of just 1 run for Bangla Tigers.
India's decision not to send in-form Vaibhav Sooryanshi in the Super Over came back to haunt them as Jitesh and Ashutosh Sharma failed to trouble the scorers.
Heartbreak for India, jubilation for Bangladesh
While Indian players were left heartbroken, Bangladesh players breathed a sigh of relief after qualifying for their Men's Asia Cup Rising Stars for the first time since 2019.
Bangladesh A will take on the winner of the second semifinal between Pakistan Shaheens and Sri Lanka A in the final on Sunday.
India A pulled things back brilliantly in the middle overs, but the bowlers faltered in the dying stages as Bangladesh scored 50 runs in the last two overs to amass a big total of 194 for six in 20 overs.
During the chase, India looked well on course to overhaul the big target as Suryavanshi (38, 15b) and Arya (44, 23b) took India past 50 in just 3.1 overs. But both fell in quick succession, resulting in a loss of momentum.
Despite the loss of wickets, India were sitting in a decent position at 150 for four, needing 45 runs in the last 30 balls, but hard-hitters like Ramandeep Singh, Ashutosh Sharma and Nehal Wadhera failed to find the desired momentum in the final five overs.