India A seal final spot with thumping win over Afghanistan A

India A stormed into the finals of the ongoing A‑team tri‑series in Sri Lanka with a commanding 101‑run victory over Afghanistan A in match five on Wednesday, June 17. The win gave India A four points from their four games, two wins and two losses, enough to secure their place in the title clash.

Sri Lanka A also sit on four points, while Afghanistan A trail with two. The two sides will meet on June 19, where Afghanistan A must register a massive win to overhaul Sri Lanka’s net run rate. India A, however, are safe regardless of the outcome, thanks to their superior NRR of 0.597, which ensures they cannot slip to third.

Chasing a stiff target of 320, Afghanistan A faltered from the outset. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and the innings never gathered momentum. 

Afghanistan A lost their top three batters, including skipper Imran Mir, inside the first 10 overs with just 70 runs on the board. Mir looked composed before Player of the Match Nishant Sindhu had him caught at mid‑on.

A spirited partnership followed as Faisal Shinozada (46 off 56) and Bahir Shah (57 off 52) added 87 runs for the fourth wicket, offering a glimmer of hope to their side and fans. Both kept the asking rate in check and briefly tested India A captain Tilak Varma’s plans.

The stand was broken in the 25th over when Anukul Roy dismissed Shinozada, four short of his half‑century. His innings featured two boundaries and a six at a strike rate of 82.14. Bahir carried on but fell 15 balls later, holing out to mid‑off as Vipraj Nigam claimed the prized wicket. Bahir top‑scored with a fluent 57 off 52 balls, decorated with four boundaries and a six at a strike rate of 109.61.

Once both set batters departed, Afghanistan A never recovered. The innings folded for 218 in 36.5 overs. Sindhu returned to mop up the tail, finishing with excellent figures of 4/31 in 6.5 overs, sealing India A’s emphatic win.

Earlier, India A were put into bat by the Afghanistan A skipper. The pair of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Priyansh Arya got their team off to a flyer as they took the Afghan bowlers to task. 

Sooryavanshi looked a little measured in his approach as per his lofty standards, striking at 135.71 with the help of four boundaries and two sixes. Faridoon Dawoodzai's well-directed bouncer brought an end to his enterprising stay at the crease as he mistimed his hook and was snaffled at point.

Arya carried on and brought up his half-century (42 off 58) before he was caught at backward point. Vice-captain Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a middling 30 before a strangle down the leg side brought an end to his innings.

India needed a solid stand, and it came between wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra and skipper Tilak. The duo added 104 for the fourth wicket and propelled India to a 300-plus total. Tilak smashed five boundaries in his 75-ball 59, whereas Kushagra also struck as many fours in his 67-ball 58.

Sindhu (21* off 26) and Nigam (30 off 20) guided India A to an imposing 319/9, and it proved too many for the Afghans.

Dawoodzai, Abdollah Ahmadzai and Farmanullah claimed two wickets apiece.

Points Table after the IND A vs AFG A clash