A high-scoring affair in Dambulla was marred by rain interruptions on June 11. Afghanistan A ended up winning the tri-series clash against India A by four runs as per DLS method. India set a target of 350 which was trimmed down to 298 from 38 overs due to rain interruption. But, when rain interrupted again in the 26th over, Afghanistan A were 177/2, slightly ahead of the DLS par score which helped them win the encounter. After the defeat, India A captain Tilak Varma blamed the rain and DLS for the defeat.
“Honestly, we batted well and 349 was a par score on this pitch. But, unfortunately with how DLS works, game reduced to 39 overs but we were still in the game. Unfortunately, the rain came down,” Varma said in the post-match presentation.
India A bowlers were not able to take early wickets. Arshad Khan dismissed opener Hassan Eisakhil whereas Anukul Roy got the wicket of Khalid Taniwal for a single-digit score. After that, skipper Imran Mir and Bahir Shah shared an unbeaten 108-run partnership for the third wicket, keeping the tempo up. It turned out to be a match-winning partnership. Varma rued the game not going till the 38th over after it was curtained due to rain.
“We got a couple of changes here and there but just short of the fielders. Afghanistan played well but at the same point we were thinking that the game will go till 38 overs. If it had gone till 38 overs game things could have been different,” the 23-year-old said.
Varma not concerned about bowling lineup
Also, Varma refused to say that the bowling is a concern for India A. He aims to win the next two games and then play in the tri-series final.
“I would not say it is a concern but we will go back to the drawing board and come back stronger in the next game. Our goal is to win the next two games and play the final,” the southpaw said.
India A’s next game
India A won their first game by eight runs against hosts Sri Lanka A. They will face Sri Lanka A again on June 15 at the same venue.