Pakistan A produced a commanding performance to defeat India A by eight wickets in their Group B clash of the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 at West End Park International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Batting first, India A collapsed to 136 all out in 19 overs despite being well placed at 91 for 2 in the tenth over. Fourteen year old opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi top scored with a fluent 45 off 28 balls, while Naman Dhir added 35. Pakistan’s bowling attack was relentless, with Shahid Aziz leading the charge by taking 3 wickets for 24 runs.
In reply, Pakistan A chased down the target in just 13.2 overs, thanks to a blistering unbeaten 79 off 47 balls by Maaz Sadaqat. His innings, laced with boundaries, kept the scoring rate above ten runs per over and ensured a smooth finish.
The victory lifted Pakistan A to the top of Group B and confirmed their place in the semi finals. India A, who had led the group on net run rate before the match, slipped to second place. Their next fixture against Oman on Tuesday will be a must win encounter to secure qualification.
Earlier, Suryavanshi, who had smashed a 32 ball century against the UAE in India A’s opening match, gave his side a flying start with a boundary over backward point. But once he fell at 93 for 3, Pakistan’s bowlers tightened their grip. All six bowlers used by captain Irfan Khan picked up wickets, including Ubaid Shah, Ahmed Daniyal, Saad Masood, Sufiyan Muqeem, Shahid Aziz, and Maaz Sadaqat.
Pakistan’s chase was clinical. They raced to 57 for 1 in the powerplay, reached 101 for 2 at the halfway mark, and sealed the win with more than six overs to spare.
Brief Scores:
India A: 136 all out in 19 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 45, Naman Dhir 35; Shahid Aziz 3/24)
Pakistan A: 137/2 in 13.2 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 79 not out; Suyash Sharma 1/31) Result: Pakistan A won by eight wicke