India ‘A’ were dismissed for just 136, a target the Shaheens overhauled in only 13.2 overs. This came after 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi had earlier lit up the tournament with a blistering 144 off 42 balls against the UAE, smashing 15 sixes and 11 fours to set up a 148-run win over Alishan Sharafu’s team.
A dramatic batting collapse undid India ‘A’ in their clash against the Shaheens on Sunday. After choosing to bowl first, Pakistan clawed their way back from a tough start, reducing India ‘A’ from a strong 91 for three in the 10th over to a modest 136 all out.
In response, the Shaheens chased down 137 with 40 balls to spare, registering their second consecutive victory, while India ‘A’ suffered their first defeat of the campaign.
Opener Maaz Sadaqat starred for the Shaheens with an unbeaten 79 off 47 balls, rounding off a superb all-round performance after also picking up two wickets with his left-arm spin. His knock featured seven fours and four sixes, and included a reprieve when Suryavanshi dropped a straightforward chance at point.
Batting first, teen prodigy Suryavanshi continued his explosive form with a 28-ball 45, while Naman Dhir chipped in with a brisk 35 off 20. However, Pakistan’s bowlers turned the tide, led by medium pacer Shahid Aziz, who finished with 3/24 from three overs. Saad Masood and Maaz Sadaqat claimed two wickets each as India lost eight wickets for just 35 runs in the last 10 overs, having looked set for a total close to 180 at the halfway mark.
Coming off a record-breaking hundred in the previous match, Suryavanshi kept finding the boundary with ease, but his aggressive approach brought his downfall. Attempting another big hit, the 14-year-old left-hander holed out to long-on, where Mohammad Faiq showed excellent control to complete the catch off Sufiyan Muqeem. Multiple replays confirmed the dismissal, and the wicket shifted momentum firmly in Pakistan’s favour.
Buoyed by the breakthrough, Aziz, Masood and Sadaqat maintained tight lines and applied relentless pressure to dismantle the rest of the India ‘A’ batting lineup.
