India A vs Pakistan A Highlights, Emerging Asia Cup: India A begin campaign with 7-run win in Al Amerat

After 20 overs, Pakistan A 176/7 (Abbas Afridi 18, Zaman Khan 1)

India A hold their nerve in the tense final minutes of the game to begin their campaign with a victory! Anshul Kamboj virtually seals an Indian triumph by getting rid of the well-set Abdul Samad at the start of the over, the hard-hitting Pakistani batter holing out to Abhishek Sharma at long on in the first ball of the over. Though Kamboj concedes a couple of boundaries later in the over, both coming off the bat of Afridi — who backs himself to finish the job after Samad’s exit — he does just about enough to ensure the defending champions fall marginally short in the end.

Samad c Abhishek b Kamboj 25(15)

After 19 overs, Pakistan A 167/6 (Abdul Samad 25, Abbas Afridi 10)

Tidy penultimate over from Rasikh Salam, the Delhi Capitals seamer conceding seven off his final over, as Pakistan A are left needing 17 to win off 6 balls!

After 18 overs, Pakistan A 160/6 (Abdul Samad 24, Abbas Afridi 5)

Abbas Afridi joins Abdul Samad at the centre after Arafat’s dismissal, and collects a boundary in his first ball, steering the ball towards the third man fence. Eight off Arora’s third over, and Pakistan need 24 to win off the last 12 balls with four wickets in hand.

Rasikh Salam gets rid of Arafat Minhas in the final delivery of his third over, the latter sending the ball high in the air towards mid on where Nehal Wadhera settles under it and completes a fine catch. Arafat was under a bit of pressure by not collecting a boundary in a while, and went for a wild heave that resulted in a thick top-edge. The umpires however, decide to have a second look, and Rasikh nearly oversteps, with his edge of his boot very marginally behind the line at the time of his toes touching the ground. The decision is ultimately ruled in favour of the bowler, and Arafat looks furious as he heads back to the dugout! PAK 152/6 in 17; need 32 off 18

Arafat c Wadhera b Rasikh 41(29)

After 16 overs, Pakistan A 142/5 (Arafat Minhas 39, Abdul Samad 15)

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt was continuously talking about Abdul Samad’s hitting prowess before his arrival at the crease, and we find out why — the 26-year-old smashes Vaibhav Arora for a six and two fours effortlessly, all of them in successive deliveries. And just like that, Pakistan’s equation comes down to 42 off 24 with five wickets in hand, a very gettable equation for the defending champions.

The fifth-wicket partnership has been broken just short of the fifty mark as Haider Ali chops the ball onto the stumps off a back-of-the-hand slower delivery from Rasikh Salam! PAK A 126/5 in 15

Haider Ali b Rasikh Salam 9(15)

After 14 overs, Pakistan A 122/4 (Arafat Minhas 36, Haider Ali 8)

Tidy third over from Sindhu as he concedes five singles in his third over, which results in Pakistan’s required rate touching 12. To counter that, Arafat decides to tee off against Tilak in the following over, smashing the off-spinner for three fours and a six in a 19-run over that revives Pakistan A’s chase! Arafat moves to 36 in quick time and he will be hoping to stay till the end and guide his team over the line.

After 12 overs, Pakistan A 98/4 (Arafat Minhas 15, Haider Ali 6)

With the required rate going past 10, Arafat Minhas collects back-to-back boundaries off Sindhu’s bowling in an attempt to keep the pressure levels in check. Tilak, meanwhile, bowls a tidy second over, conceding just three. Pakistan yet to breach the 100-mark after 12 overs, and they need another 86 off 48.

After 10 overs, Pakistan A 83/4 (Arafat Minhas 4, Haider Ali 2)

Tilak Varma introduces himself into the attack in the 10th over and barring a wide in the first delivery, keeps it tidy by conceding five runs as Pakistan A reach 83/4 at the halfway stage, needing 101 more to win off 60 balls with six wickets in hand.

After 9 overs, Pakistan A 78/4 (Arafat Minhas 2, Haider Ali 0)

OUT! Second wicket for Sindhu as Qasim Akram holes out to Nehal Wadhera just four balls after Yasir’s dismissal to depart for 27 as the left-arm spinner gets rid of both set batters in his first over!

Yasir c Ramandeep b Sindhu 33(22)

OUT! Ramandeep Singh grabs a one-handed blinder in front of the Pakistani dugout near deep midwicket as Nishant Sindhu gets rid of the well-set Yasir Khan in his first delivery of the evening! What a catch by Ramandeep as he dashes to his right and puts in a dive to grab a one-handed blinder! The umpires need a second look before ruling it in favour of the Indians, and Yasir is on his way back after an attacking 33 off 22! PAK A 75/3

Yasir c Ramandeep b Sindhu 33(22)

After 8 overs, Pakistan A 75/2 (Yasir Khan 33, Qasim Akram 26)

The partnership between Yasir Khan and Qasim Akram goes past 50 with 14 coming off Rahul Chahar’s first over, the leg-spinner overstepping in the second ball and getting smashed for a six by Yasir in the free hit next up. Left-arm spinner Abhishek returns in the following over and bowls a tidy one, conceding four singles.

After 6 overs, Pakistan A 57/2 (Yasir Khan 24, Qasim Akram 20)

Tilak decides to give Kamboj a third over inside the powerplay, and the this time the pacer proves expensive after collecting a wicket in each of his first two overs as Yasir Khan smashes him for a six and a four in the last two balls. Rasikh Salam is introduced in the next over and Qasim Akram collects a couple of boundaries off the medium-pacer’s bowling as Pakistan recover from a shaky start and race to 57/2 at the end of the powerplay.

After 4 overs, Pakistan A 32/2 (Yasir Khan 9, Qasim Akram 10)

Spin introduced for the first time in the fourth over as Abhishek Sharma decides to roll his left arm over for some finger spin. Qasim Akram welcomes him into the attack with back-to-back boundaries in the third and fourth deliveries.

After Arora goes for 13 in the second over, Yousuf tries to exert pressure on Kamboj and pulls the ball towards deep square leg. However, he doesn’t get enough timing on the shot, resulting in a simple catch for Nishant Sindhu in front of the boundary. PAK A 21/2

Yousuf c Sindhu b Kamboj 2(7)

After 2 overs, Pakistan A 20/1 (Yasir Khan 7, Omair Yousuf 2)

Expensive start for KKR pacer Vaibhav Arora bowling from the other end as he goes for 13 in his first over, with Yasir Khan smashing him for a six in the third ball.

After 20 overs, India A 183/8 (Rahul Chahar 4, Rasikh Salam 6)

It turns into a procession in the last two overs after Tilak Varma’s dismissal, with Nishant Sindhu collecting a boundary first ball but getting run-out in the final ball of the penultimate over to depart for 6, Zaman Khan signing off with figures of 1/43 from four. Imran then bowls the final over, and while Anshul Kamboj and Ramandeep Singh are dismissed in successive deliveries, the former getting caught by Qasim Akram, Rahul Chahar and Raskh Salam are able to guide the Indians past 180 with by collecting a four and a six respectively in the last three deliveries.

Stay tuned for the Pakistani chase, which will begin shortly!

BOWLED! What a response from Kamboj as Haris misses the ball completely while trying to scoop it towards fine leg, watching his leg stump do a cartwheel as a result!

Mohammad Haris b Anshul Kamboj 6(2)

OUT! Tilak smashes Zaman Khan for a six at the start of the penultimate over, with the ball sailing over deep square leg and landing in the adjacent ground. The India A skipper attempts something similar next ball, going for a helicopter shot, but this time cannot clear the boundary rope as Arafat Minhas completes an easy catch. IND 163/5 in 18.2

Tilak Varma c Arafat Minhas b Zaman Khan 44(35)

After 18 overs, India A 157/4 (Tilak Varma 38, Ramandeep Singh 15)

Tilak Varma decides to shift gears after playing a largely sedate knock, heaving the ball towards the vacant backward square leg boundary in the third delivery of Zaman Khan’s final over. Both Tilak and Ramandeep smash Mohammad Imran for a towering six in the following over, with the latter also collecting a four after playing an AB de Villers-like heave towards fine leg for a four. Imran ends up conceding 20 runs in the 18th over as India find themselves with 157 on the board with two overs to fo.

After 16 overs, India A 128/4 (Tilak Varma 22, Ramandeep Singh 5)

DROPPED! Haider Ali puts down a straightforward catch in front of the long on boundary after a miscued slog by Ramandeep off a slower delivery from Abbas Afridi. He grimaces after the dropped chance, apparently copping a painful blow on his hand, and needs medical attention right after.

OUT! Lucknow Super Giants’ Ayush Badoni doesn’t last long after Wadhera’s dismissal, getting a thick leading edge off a flat, quick delivery from Qasim Akram, with keeper-captain Mohammad Haris completing an easy grab. IND 120/4 in 14.4 overs

Ayush Badoni c Mohammad Haris b Qasim Akram 2(3)

Nehal was attempting a wild heave towards the leg side, but missed the ball completely, resulting in his stumps getting rattled! End of a third-wicket stand that was worth 38. IND 114/3 in 13.4

Nehal Wadhera b Sufiyan Muqeem 25(22)

After 12 overs, India A 104/2 (Tilak Varma 11, Nehal Wadhera 21)

Steady partnership so far between skipper Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera, who know each other fairly well given the two have shared the Mumbai Indians dressing room for the last three seasons. Wadhera, meanwhile, is playing the aggressor in this partnership, collecting boundaries at timely intervals.

After 10 overs, India A 90/2 (Tilak Varma 8, Nehal Wadhera 10)

Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh’s dismissals in successive overs does lead to a post-powerplay slowdown. Wadhera, however, decides to charge down the track and smash the ball for six towards wide long on off Sufiyan’s bowling, keeping the pressure levels in check. India A reach 90/2 at the halfway stage and Tilak Varma and Co will be eyeing 200 from here.

Abhishek’s entertaining stay at the crease comes to an end as he gets a thick outside edge after charging down the track against left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, who is introduced right after the powerplay. Outstanding catch by Qasim Akram diving to his left to complete the dismissal. Sufiyan then gives Abhishek a send-off which leads to a few glares and angry words between the two. IND 68/1 in 6.1

Abhishek Sharma c Qasim Akram b Sufiyan Muqeem 35(22)

After 8 overs, India A 77/2 (Tilak Varma 5, Nehal Wadhera 1)

OUT! The Pakistanis are starting to fight back now, with two wickets falling in as many overs! This time it’s Abhishek’s opening partner Prabhsimran who has to head back to the dugout after going for a sweep behind square, with Mohammad Imran pulling off a fine catch after leaping forward.

Prabhsimran Singh c Mohammad Imran b Arafat Minhas 36(19)

After 6 overs, India A 68/0 (Abhishek Sharma 35, Prabhsimran Singh 33)

The opening partnership between Abhishek and Prabhsimran goes past the half-century mark as India race to 68/0 at the end of the powerplay! Change of ends of Zaman, and Prabhsimran greets him with a four and a six.

Abhishek then goes berserk in the following over, smashing Afridi for two fours and as many sixes – all in consecutive deliveries – bringing up the partnership milestone along the way. Prabhsimran pulls Afridi for a four towards deep square leg, with the sixth over costing Pakistan 25 runs!

After 4 overs, India A 31/0 (Abhishek Sharma 13, Prabhsimran Singh 18)

Good follow up by Imran junior as he concedes just two singles in his second over after getting hit for back-to-back fours by Abhishek in the first over. Abbas Afridi, however, gets hit for a six and a four by Prabhsimran and Abhishek respectively after he is introduced in the fourth over, the former currently batting on 18 off 11.

After 2 overs, India A 18/0 (Abhishek Sharma 8, Prabhsimran Singh 10)

India A are off to a positive start in Oman with Abhishek and Prabhsimran collecting 18 runs in the first two overs! Imran Jr starts off with four consecutive dots before Abhishek dispatches him for back-to-back boundaries. Prabhsimran then smashes Zaman Khan for a six at the start of the next over followed by a four two balls later.

India A Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh(w), Ramandeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Tilak Varma(c), Ayush Badoni, Nehal Wadhera, Nishant Sindhu, Rahul Chahar, Rasikh Dar Salam, Vaibhav Arora

Pakistan A Playing XI: Pakistan Shaheens Team: Haider Ali, Mohammad Haris (c)†, Yasir Khan, Omair Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Imran, Zaman Khan, Sufiyan Muqeem

India win the toss, and skipper Tilak Varma opts to bat at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Al Amerat Oman. Can the Indians post a challenging score on the board tonight?

Stay tuned to find out!

Fans can tune into the live coverage of the India A vs Pakistan A Group B clash in the 2024 ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup on the Star Sports 1 and on the Disney Plus Hostar website and mobile application.

Alternatively, you can also follow match updates on our live blog.

India A and Pakistan A had locked horns twice in the 2023 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka last year. While the Indians had won the group stage fixture by 8 wickets, the Pakistanis would bounce back in the final at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, winning the tournament with a thumping 128-run victory.

Click here for more details on how Pakistan defeated India in the final

India and Mumbai Indians southpaw Tilak Varma has been appointed to lead the India A team in the sixth edition of the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, the first edition to take place in the shortest international format. The squad also comprises Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Chahar and R Sai Kishore as the other capped Indian players, with Abhishek set for a second consecutive appearance in the tournament.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup Group B clash between arch-rivals India A and Pakistan A in Al Amerat, Oman on Saturday. The two teams had met twice in the 2023 edition in Sri Lanka, which had been played in a 50-over format in which the Pakistanis triumphed over the Indians in the final by 128 runs.

Can the Tilak Varma-led Indians avenge that defeat in today’s game? Stay tuned to find out.