India A Seeks Redemption Against Oman After Pakistan Defeat
The Indian A cricket team faces a crucial test against Oman in the ACC Men's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 tournament on Tuesday. After suffering a disappointing 8-wicket defeat to Pakistan Shaheens, the Jitesh Sharma-led side must bounce back quickly to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
The match will be played at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha, with the toss scheduled for 7:30 PM IST and play beginning at 8:00 PM IST. This encounter represents a critical juncture for India A's campaign in the emerging players tournament.
Recapping the Pakistan Setback
India A's previous match against Pakistan Shaheens revealed both promise and concern. The team appeared to be cruising at 91/3 in the 10th over before experiencing a dramatic collapse that saw them lose eight wickets for just 35 runs. The innings concluded at a below-par 136 runs, significantly below what seemed achievable earlier in the match.
The batting collapse proved costly as Pakistan chased down the target of 137 in only 13.2 overs, securing victory with 40 balls to spare. Medium pacer Shahid Aziz led Pakistan's bowling attack with impressive figures of 3/24 from three overs, while Saad Masood and Maaz Sadaqat contributed two wickets each.
Suryavanshi's Rollercoaster Tournament
Fourteen-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been the talk of the tournament, though his journey has seen both spectacular highs and frustrating lows. In India A's opening match against UAE, the young sensation smashed a sensational 144 off just 42 balls, featuring an astonishing 15 sixes and 11 fours. This explosive innings powered India A to a massive 148-run victory.
Against Pakistan, Suryavanshi continued his aggressive approach, scoring a brisk 28-ball 45 before holing out to long-on where Mohammad Faiq completed the catch. The dismissal, confirmed after multiple replays, proved to be a turning point in the match. Naman Dhir provided support with 35 off 20 balls, but once the partnership broke, Pakistan seized control.
Oman Challenge and Tournament Implications
India A now faces Oman in what becomes a must-win encounter to strengthen their position in the tournament standings. The predicted playing XI for India A includes: Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nehal Wadhera, Naman Dhir, Jitesh Sharma, Ramandeep Singh, Harsh Dubey, Ashutosh Sharma, Yash Thakur, Gurjapneet Singh, and Suyash Sharma.
Oman, led by captain Hammad Mirza, will field a squad including Sufyan Yousaf, Karan Sonavale, Wasim Ali, Narayan Saishiv, Aryan Bisht, Zikria Islam, Muzahir Raza, Shafiq Jan, Samay Shrivastava, and Sufyan Mehmood.
Fans can catch the live telecast on the Sony Sports Network channels, with streaming available through the Sony LIV app. The match represents an opportunity for India A to demonstrate resilience and learning from their Pakistan defeat while showcasing the talent that makes this emerging players tournament so compelling to watch.
