SL A vs AFG A Final Highlights | Afghanistan A Clinches ACC Mens T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 Title

Afghanistan A delivered a powerful performance to claim the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 title, defeating Sri Lanka A by seven wickets. Guided by a match-winning knock from Sediqullah Atal and tight bowling spells from Allah Ghazanfar and Bilal Sami, Afghanistan A chased down Sri Lanka A's modest total of 133 with 11 balls to spare.

Sri Lanka A Struggles to Post Defendable Total

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka A’s top order crumbled under the pressure of Afghanistan A’s disciplined bowling. Yashodha Lanka was the first to fall, caught by Darwish Rasooli off Bilal Sami’s bowling in the opening over. Afghanistan A’s bowlers, especially Allah Ghazanfar and Bilal Sami, maintained a stranglehold on the scoring, picking up crucial wickets at regular intervals.

Captain Nuwanidu Fernando and wicketkeeper Lahiru Udara tried to steady the innings but struggled to accelerate. Fernando was stumped for just 7 runs, and Udara managed only 5 off 9 deliveries. By the fifth over, Sri Lanka A found themselves in deep trouble at 15/4.

All-rounder Sahan Arachchige provided some resistance, staying unbeaten with an impressive 47 off 34 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. However, with little support from his teammates, Sri Lanka A could only manage 133/7 in their 20 overs. Ghazanfar, named Player of the Match, claimed 2 for 14 in his four overs, while Sami chipped in with 3 for 22.

Afghanistan A’s Confident Chase

In response, Afghanistan A’s innings began with a minor hiccup when Zubaid Akbari was dismissed for a duck on the first ball by Sahan Arachchige. But Sediqullah Atal anchored the chase brilliantly, showcasing his class with an unbeaten 55 off 55 deliveries, laced with five boundaries. His well-paced innings, coupled with supportive contributions from Darwish Rasooli (24 off 20) and Karim Janat (33 off 27), kept Afghanistan A comfortably on track.

Eshan Malinga managed to pick up Janat’s wicket, but it was too late to turn the tide. Mohammad Ishaq finished off the chase with a quick 16 off 6 balls, as Afghanistan A reached the target in the 19th over with seven wickets in hand.

Standout Performances and Key Moments

• Player of the Match: Allah Ghazanfar’s exceptional spell of 4-0-14-2 laid the foundation for Afghanistan A's dominance.
• Player of the Series: Sediqullah Atal’s consistent contributions throughout the tournament earned him the accolade, culminating in his unbeaten half-century in the final.
• Turning Point: Sri Lanka A’s early collapse, losing four wickets within the first five overs, left them in a vulnerable position that they struggled to recover from.

Score Summary

Sri Lanka A Innings: 133/7 in 20 overs (Sahan Arachchige 47*, Allah Ghazanfar 2/14, Bilal Sami 3/22)

Afghanistan A Innings: 134/3 in 18.1 overs (Sediqullah Atal 55*, Karim Janat 33, Dushan Hemantha 1/26)

With this commanding win, Afghanistan A clinched the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 title, marking a milestone for the team’s young talent and their growing presence in Asian cricket. Their disciplined bowling and confident chase highlighted a well-rounded performance, setting high expectations for Afghanistan's emerging players on the international stage.