India A won the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2023, defeating Nepal by 9 wickets in the final at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on July 17, 2023.
Nepal won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 167 runs in 49.2 overs. Opener Kushal Bhurtel top-scored for Nepal with 49 runs, while Aarif Sheikh contributed 34 runs. India A’s bowlers were led by Yash Dhull, who took 3 wickets for 24 runs.
In reply, India A reached their target in just 122.1 overs, with opener Divyansh Saxena scoring 71 runs and Yash Dhull making 56 runs. Nepal’s bowlers were once again led by Aarif Sheikh, who took 2 wickets for 35 runs.
This is India A’s first title in the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup. The team had previously reached the final in 2018, but lost to Bangladesh.
The win was a major boost for India A, who are currently preparing for the upcoming Under-19 World Cup. The team is captained by Yash Dhull, who was also the captain of the India U-19 team that won the 2022 World Cup.
Dhull was the star of the final, scoring 56 runs and taking 3 wickets. He was supported by Divyansh Saxena, who scored 71 runs. The two batsmen put on a 122-run partnership for the second wicket, which laid the foundation for India A’s victory.
Aarif Sheikh was the pick of the bowlers for Nepal, taking 2 wickets for 35 runs. However, he was unable to prevent India A from winning the match.
The win is a major boost for India A’s preparations for the Under-19 World Cup. The team is currently ranked number one in the world, and they will be looking to defend their title in the upcoming tournament.
The ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup is a regional tournament for players under the age of 23. It is a stepping stone for players who are looking to make the national team. The tournament was first held in 2018, and India A have won the title twice, in 2018 and 2023.
The 2023 ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup was a successful tournament, and it provided a great opportunity for young players to showcase their talent. India A were the deserving winners, and they will be looking to build on their success in the upcoming Under-19 World Cup.
