KKR Fall Short in Just 4 Runs

India A vs Pakistan A Thriller

Summary: The battle between the 'Rising Stars' turned into a rout! India A's promising start was completely decimated by a spectacular batting collapse, falling for 136 against Pakistan A in the ACC Men's Asia Cup 2025. Spearheading the charge, the sensational all-rounder Maaz Sadaqat delivered a career-defining performance-taking 2/12 with the ball before hammering an unbeaten 79 off 47 balls. Pakistan A clinched a dominating eight-wicket victory, leaving India A in a precarious position requiring a win in their next fixture to stay in the tournament.

The Maaz Sadaqat Effect: How Pakistan A's All-Round Power Decimated India A in Doha

The 6th Match of the ACC Men's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 was billed as a fierce contest between the future stars of India and Pakistan. What transpired, however, was a dominant showcase by the Pakistan Shaheens, led by the phenomenal young all-rounder Maaz Sadaqat. Their comprehensive eight-wicket triumph on November 16th not only secured their semi-final berth but exposed a worrying fragility in the India A middle-order.

The Explosive Start (INDA: 91/3)

India A's innings began exactly as planned. Openers Vaibhav Suryavanshi (45 off 28) and Naman Dhir (35 off 20) were in brutal touch, neutralizing the early threat of the Pakistani pace attack, including Ubaid Shah. Their aggressive approach, characterized by Suryavanshi's five fours and three sixes, pushed India's scoring rate near 10 runs per over. This fearless start made a 170+ total look like a formality.

The Tactical Turning Point

The momentum shifted abruptly when Pakistan A skipper brought his slower bowlers into play. The introduction of the left-arm orthodox spinner Maaz Sadaqat and the leg-break variations of Sufiyan Muqeem proved to be the masterstroke.

The key wickets of Suryavanshi (caught off Muqeem's spin) and Naman Dhir (caught off Sadaqat's medium pace) triggered panic. Suddenly, the pace was taken off the ball, and the young Indian batters struggled for timing.

• Expert Insight: "Pakistan A's strategy was brilliant. They absorbed the initial pace onslaught and then suffocated India A with spin and clever changes of pace. Maaz Sadaqat's economy of 4.00 (2/12 from 3 overs) stands out - he didn't just take wickets; he choked the flow of runs, forcing the Indian batters to take high-risk shots against the returning pacers."

The Unraveling (INDA: 136 All Out)

The period between the 10th and 19th over was a disaster for India A. The loss of captain Jitesh Sharma (5) and Nehal Wadhera (8) left the lower order exposed. The team lost their last seven wickets for a paltry 35 runs, collapsing to a total of 136. The experienced pacer Shahid Aziz exploited the pressure masterfully, cleaning up the tail to finish with an exceptional 3/24.

The Lightning Response: Maaz Sadaqat's Statement

A target of 137 was never going to challenge Pakistan A, especially not with Maaz Sadaqat in this kind of form.

The Player of the Match was relentless, taking the lead immediately in the chase. While wickets fell at the other end to Yash Thakur and Suyash Sharma, Sadaqat simply accelerated. His 168.09 strike rate meant the required run rate was never a factor. His boundary count of seven fours and four maximums highlighted his supreme confidence and power-hitting ability against both pace and spin. He guided his team home effortlessly in just 13.2 overs, completing a memorable victory.

Image credit-wisden

What's Next for the Young Lions?

The result puts the ACC Men's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 Group B table wide open. While Pakistan A are confirmed qualifiers, India A now faces a critical do-or-die scenario against Oman. This loss is a humbling moment, providing crucial data points for the Indian selectors regarding the team's ability to handle pressure and adapt to slow pitches.

India A needs one more victory to qualify. They must quickly shake off this comprehensive defeat and bring their 'A' game for the qualification showdown. The stage is set for a high-stakes final group match!

Keywords: Maaz Sadaqat All-Round Performance,ACC Mens Asia Cup Rising Stars2025GroupB,IndiaACricket CollapseAnalysis