Bangladesh A Edge India A in Dramatic Super Over to Reach Rising Stars Asia Cup Final

In a nerve-shredding finish that nearly required a second Super Over, Bangladesh A overcame India A in the semi-final of the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Qatar on Friday. Seamer Ripon Mondol delivered under pressure, leading his side to a dramatic win and knocking India A out of the tournament.

India A, chasing a stiff target, appeared in control early thanks to an explosive cameo from Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed 38 off just 15 balls, including two fours and four sixes. But after his dismissal, the middle order faltered despite contributions from Priyansh Arya (44) and Jitesh Sharma (33). When Jitesh departed, India A were 150 for 4 after 15 overs, still well-placed, but the chase unraveled rapidly.

Mondol’s brilliant 19th over—just five runs and the wicket of set batter Ramandeep Singh—left India A needing 16 off the final six balls. Left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan nearly finished the job, but a dropped catch from Jishan Alam at long-off gifted Ashutosh Sharma a four and kept India A alive. Ashutosh was bowled the next ball, leaving four needed off the final delivery.

A misjudgement from Bangladesh A captain Akbar Ali then handed India A an improbable lifeline. Harsh Dubey squeezed a full ball to long-on and attempted a desperate second run. Akbar collected the throw with time to run to the stumps, but instead flicked an underarm throw that missed, with no backup in place. India A scrambled a third run to tie the match and force a Super Over.

India A, however, made a surprising tactical call in the Super Over, choosing not to send in Suryavanshi, the tournament’s leading six-hitter. Mondol capitalised, knocking over Jitesh Sharma with a perfect yorker before Ashutosh fell cheaply, leaving Bangladesh A needing just one run.

Suyash Sharma struck with his first delivery, removing Yasir Ali with a sharp catch at long-on by Ramandeep Singh, momentarily reigniting hopes of another twist. But a wayward googly that was called wide handed Bangladesh A the solitary run required to seal victory.

The result capped an underwhelming campaign for India A, who had earlier lost to Pakistan A and been pushed by Oman. Their final-over heroics proved too little too late, especially after conceding 50 runs in the last two overs of Bangladesh A’s innings. Left-hander SM Meherob’s blistering 48 off 18 balls, including four sixes in a 28-run over off Naman Dhir, swung the momentum decisively. Earlier, opener Habibur Rahman set the platform with a composed 65 off 46.

Bangladesh A advance to the final after surviving one of the most dramatic finishes of the tournament, while India A are left to rue missed chances and a chaotic end to their campaign.