India ‘A’ kicked off their campaign in the ACC Men’s Emerging Cup with an impressive eight-wicket victory over UAE ‘A’ in Colombo. Opting to field first, India’s pacer Harshit Rana showcased his skills with figures of 4/41, supported well by Nitish Kumar Reddy (2/32) and Manav Suthar (2/28), restricting UAE ‘A’ to a modest total of 175/9.
While chasing the target, India ‘A’ faced an early hiccup with the loss of both the openers. However, skipper Yash Dhull’s magnificent unbeaten century (108*) and Nikin Jose’s solid contribution (41*) sealed the victory with ease. Together, they formed an unbroken partnership of 138 runs for the third wicket.
During UAE ‘A’s innings, Ashwanth Valthapa (46), Aryansh Sharma (38), and Mohammed Faraazuddin (35) showed some resistance but struggled to score freely against the skillful Indian bowlers.
With this convincing win in Group B, India ‘A’ showcased their dominance in the tournament and will look to carry the momentum forward in their upcoming matches. Dhull’s attacking knock was full of flair and timing, as he scored his runs off just 84 balls, finding the boundary fence 20 times and clearing it once. Jose played the supporting role, adding stability to the innings.
The upcoming matches against Nepal and Pakistan ‘A’ will be crucial for India ‘A’ as they aim to continue their winning streak. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals, scheduled on July 21. The final of the ACC Men’s Emerging Cup is set to take place on July 23.
