NEW DELHI: India A sealed their place in the Tri-Nation A Series final with a commanding 101-run victory over Afghanistan A in Dambulla on Wednesday, producing a complete all-round performance led by half-centuries from Priyansh Arya, Tilak Varma and Kumar Kushagra, followed by a four-wicket haul from Nishant Sindhu.After posting a formidable 319/9 in 50 overs, India A bundled out Afghanistan A for 218 in 36.5 overs to enter the final, aided by a superior net run rate of +0.797. India A will now take on Sri Lanka A or Afghanistan A on June 21 in the final in Dambulla. Asked to bat first, India A got off to a flying start through openers Priyansh Arya and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who added 75 runs in just 48 balls for the opening wicket.Sooryavanshi survived an early scare when a stunning catch at point was ruled not out by the third umpire, and the youngster made the most of the reprieve by scoring 38 off 28 balls with four fours and two sixes before Faridoon Dawoodzai finally ended his stay.Arya continued the charge and brought up a fluent half-century. The left-hander struck nine fours and a six in his 42-ball 58, laying a strong platform for the middle order.Ruturaj Gaikwad chipped in with 30 before India A captain Tilak Varma and wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra took control of the innings.The duo stitched together a crucial 104-run stand for the fourth wicket. Varma anchored the innings with a composed 59 off 75 deliveries, while Kushagra impressed in his first appearance of the series, scoring a well-crafted 58 from 67 balls.After both set batters departed, Vipraj Nigam provided the late flourish with a brisk 30 off just 20 balls, while Nishant Sindhu remained unbeaten on 21 as India A crossed the 300-run mark.For Afghanistan A, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Farmanullah Safi picked up two wickets each.Chasing 320, Afghanistan A never truly recovered after losing wickets at regular intervals.Yash Thakur struck early by dismissing Hassan Eisakhil, while Anshul Kamboj produced a brilliant breakthrough when Vaibhav Sooryavanshi completed a stunning second-attempt catch to remove Khalid Taniwal.Captain Imran Mir fought back with 32, but Nishant Sindhu trapped him with the help of a well-judged catch from Suryansh Shedge.Afghanistan A’s only meaningful resistance came through Faisal Shinozada and Bahir Shah. The pair added 87 runs for the fourth wicket and briefly threatened to keep the chase alive.Bahir led the counterattack with an impressive 57 off 52 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six, while Faisal fell heartbreakingly short of a half-century after scoring 46.The turning point came when Anukul Roy dismissed Faisal and Vipraj Nigam removed Bahir shortly afterwards. Once the partnership was broken, Afghanistan A’s lower order offered little resistance.Sindhu then ran through the tail, dismissing Shams Ur Rahman, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Zahir Khan to finish with outstanding figures of 4 for 31 from 6.5 overs.Yash Thakur claimed two wickets, while Kamboj, Roy, Nigam and Shedge chipped in with one apiece.Afghanistan A were eventually bowled out for 218, handing India A a comprehensive 101-run victory.
