India A beats Afghanistan A by 101 runs, books final spot in triangular series

India A delivered a dominant performance to defeat Afghanistan A by 101 runs in a must-win match at Dambulla on Wednesday, securing their place in the triangular series final scheduled for June 21. The victory also required India A to restrict Afghanistan A to within 236 runs to meet net run rate conditions, a target they achieved with a bowling masterclass.

Batting first, India A posted 319 for 9 in 50 overs, anchored by half-centuries from captain Tilak Verma (59), Priyansh Arya (58), and Kumar Kushagra (58). Verma’s patient knock came off 67 balls after a slow start, while Arya reached his fifty in just 34 deliveries. Kushagra, playing his first match of the series, added 104 runs for the fourth wicket with Verma. Teenager Vaibhav Suryavanshi contributed 38 runs, surviving two early chances before falling to Fareedoun Dawoodzai.

In reply, Afghanistan A were bowled out for 218 in 36.5 overs, thanks largely to left-arm spinner Nishant Singh's devastating spell of 4 for 31. After early wickets, captain Imran Mir (32 off 27 balls) counter-attacked, but Singh dismissed him just after the powerplay. A 87-run stand for the fourth wicket between Bahir Shah and Faisal Shinwari threatened India A’s plans, but Anukul Roy broke the partnership by catching Shinwari off his own bowling. The Indian spinners then ran through the lower order to seal a comprehensive win.