Raj Bawa rose to the occasion as India launched a fight back to overcome Afghanistan fear by four wickets as they entered the semi-final of the Under-19 Asia Cup tournament here on Monday (December 27).
Bawa played a match-winning knock of 43 not out in the middle which was coupled with Kaushal Tambe’s sedate 35 as they together strung together a crucial partnership of 65-run while chasing a competitive target of 260 and literally snatched the match from Afghanistan’s grip.
India were off to a great start riding on Harnoor Singh’s handsome 65 off 74 balls which was adorned with eight boundaries. He found the able partner in Angkrish Raghuvanshi (35 off 47). After a solid opening stand of 104, Noor Ahmad dislodged Angkrish. Before India could recover from the first wicket, Noor struck back and dismissed Harnoor. Afghanistan started to spread their tentacles in the game as they grabbed the second and third wicket in quick succession that left the scoreboard at 116/3. Captain Yash Dhull once again failed to click for the team as he was sent to the pavilion at 26 off 35.
The match looked slipping away from India but Bawa came to Men in Blue’s rescue and bolstered the team when it needed the most. In his 55-ball innings he smashed two boundaries.
India lost their sixth wicket at the score of 197. But Tambe played the second fiddle in his 29-ball knock which was loaded with four fours.
Afghanistan bowlers tried everything from their armoury but failed to thwart India’s solid fightback to clinch the match with four wickets to spare.
Noor remained the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan as he snared 4/43.
Earlier, batting first Afghanistan rode on Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai’s impressive knock of 86 off 68 balls. Captain Suliman Safi also stood tall with 73 off 86 as they mustered a total of 259 for the loss of four wickets.
Four India, Rajvardhan Hagargekar, Raj Bawa, Vicky Ostwal and Kaushal Tambe bagged a wicket each.
