Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025: Bangladesh A beat India A's IPL stars in a mockery of a semi-final

The 1st semi-final of the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 between India A and Bangladesh A at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha became an exhilarating contest that ended dramatically in a super over, with Bangladesh A prevailing in the end. In a high-scoring thriller, Bangladesh A posted 194 for 6 in their 20 overs, only for India A to match the total in regulation time. However, a brilliant performance in the super over saw Bangladesh-A sneak through to the final, showcasing incredible nerves and composure on the big stage.

How to watch the highlights of the match?

Cricket fans in India can watch the highlights of the India A vs Bangladesh A match on SonyLIV via OTTplay Premium.

Bangladesh-A set a strong target

Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh A assembled a competitive total of 194 for 6. The innings was anchored by a brilliant 65 off 46 balls from Habibur Rahman Sohan, who showcased aggressive stroke play with five boundaries and five sixes. Sohan’s innings was a display of power-hitting combined with calculated risk-taking, setting a rapid pace for the visitors.

Jishan Alam played a useful supporting role with 26 runs from 14 balls, exhibiting quick scoring and blending well with Sohan in a partnership that laid the foundation. Other contributors such as Zawad Abrar (13), Akbar Ali (9), and SM Meherob (48*, 18 balls with six sixes) kept the momentum going, ensuring Bangladesh A had a strong finish.

Bangladesh’s aggressive batting, especially in the last overs, was key to making the total challenging. The Tigers scored 50 runs in the final two overs to post 194 in the first inning. They capitalised on a few wayward spells from India A’s bowlers, especially Vijaykumar Vyshak, who went for 51 runs in 4 overs, along with Naman Dhir, who went for 28 in just one over.

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India A’ had a confident start but Bangladesh fought back

Chasing 195 for victory, India A started steadily, absorbing pressure early on. Vaibhav Suryavanshi set the tone with an electrifying 38 off 15 balls, exhibiting explosive stroke play and timing. His partnership with Priyansh Arya was pivotal as Arya carved out 44 from 23 balls, keeping India firmly on track.

However, wickets fell at regular intervals, such as Naman Dhir (7) and captain Jitesh Sharma (33), reflecting Bangladesh's effective bowling and fielding combined with pressure situations in the chase. Nehal Wadhera played a key unbeaten innings of 32 from 29 balls as he could not get the boundaries in a demanding situation.

With India needing 25 from the last 12, Ashutosh Sharma scored 13 off 6 balls. However, Nehal Wasdhera's inability to hit boundaries gave Bangladesh the chance to win the game. But, with 4 required off the last ball, the Bangladesh captain and wicket-keeper Akbar Ali gave two runs in an overthrow to allow India A to take the game to a superover.

Abu Hider picked up two wickets, and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, Ripon Mondol, and SM Meherob chipped in to control the scoring during the middle overs for Bangladesh. The bowling crackdown in the death overs prevented India A from crossing the line in the regulation run chase.

Super over drama

With the scores tied, the tension peaked in the super over. Bangladesh’s Ripon Mondol bowled brilliantly, taking two wickets in the over while limiting India A to zero runs. Despite his form, the Indian team management decided not to send Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the super over as Jitesh Sharma and Ashutosh Sharma fell to Mondol within the first two balls. Jitesh was clean bowled, while Asutosh was caught in deep cover while going for a big shot.

Bangladesh kept on making a mess of the chase, with Yasir Ali going for a big shot and losing his wicket off Suyash Sharma on the first ball. India needed one more wicket to take the game to a second super over, but a wide from Suyash helped Bangladesh reach the Rising Stars Asia Cup final for the first time since 2019.