Doha, Qatar – The West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha bore witness to a high-octane encounter in the first semi-final of the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025, where India A found themselves locked in a captivating chase against a spirited Bangladesh A side. This breaking news analysis unpacks the twists and turns of a match that truly lived up to its ‘Rising Stars’ billing, showcasing the immense talent simmering in the subcontinent’s cricketing nurseries.

Bangladesh A’s Explosive Finish Sets Stiff Target

Having won the toss, India A opted to field, a decision that initially appeared astute as they kept Bangladesh A in check for much of their innings. Habibur Rahman Sohan anchored the Bangladesh A innings with a mature 46-ball 65, laying a crucial foundation. However, it was the blistering late assault that completely shifted the momentum. SM Meherob, showcasing why he’s considered a potent all-rounder, unleashed one of the tournament’s standout knocks, blasting an unbeaten 48 runs off just 18 deliveries. He was ably supported by Yasir Ali, who contributed a quickfire 17 off 9 balls. Together, this duo turned the tide dramatically, adding a staggering 50 runs in the final two overs – an incredible 28 runs in the penultimate over, followed by another 22 in the 20th – propelling Bangladesh A to a formidable total of 194 for 6.

For India A, the bowling effort was a mixed bag. While Gurjapneet Singh claimed an early breakthrough dismissing Jishan Alam for 26, and Naman Dhir, Ramandeep Singh, Harsh Dubey, and Suyash Sharma chipped in with a wicket each, the inability to contain the late surge proved costly. The final few overs, particularly the onslaught from Meherob, transformed what could have been a manageable target into a challenging one. Adding to India A’s concerns, captain Jitesh Sharma sustained an injury during Bangladesh A’s innings, a situation that could impact his performance behind the stumps and with the bat.

India A’s Rollercoaster Chase: Suryavanshi’s Brilliance Meets Bangladeshi Resilience

Chasing 195 for a spot in the final, India A began their innings with characteristic youthful exuberance, led by the sensational Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The 14-year-old, who had already set the tournament alight with a breathtaking 32-ball century against UAE (144 off 42 deliveries) and a gritty 45 against Pakistan, continued his fearless approach. He announced his intentions by smashing consecutive sixes in the very first over off Ripon Mondol, accumulating 19 runs in the over. Suryavanshi continued to fire on all cylinders, hitting two more sixes off SM Meherob in the second over, contributing to a rapid 35 runs scored in two overs. His explosive 38 off just 15 balls provided India A with a ‘flying start’, keeping them well ahead of the required run rate.

Priyansh Arya joined the party, also playing a ‘fiery’ innings, smashing 44 off 23 deliveries. His ability to ‘break the shackles’ with a couple of fours and a six off Abu Hider brought down the asking rate significantly. However, cricket is a game of fine margins and momentum shifts. The joy in the India A camp was short-lived as wickets began to tumble. Suryavanshi was the first to depart, mistiming a shot into the hands of the long-on fielder off Abdul Gaffar Saqlain. Naman Dhir followed, caught at backward square leg off Abu Hider, leaving India A ‘two down with an asking rate of 9.44’. The biggest blow came with the dismissal of Priyansh Arya, caught at long-on off Rakibul Hasan, leaving India A ‘three down and in some trouble now’ at 98 for 3.

At the point of the latest update, India A stood at 113 for 3 after 12 overs, needing 89 runs from 54 balls. The equation underscored the pivotal role of the current batters, Jitesh Sharma (12* off 13) and Nehal Wadhera (7* off 9). Bangladesh A, having found their rhythm with the ball, were bowling a ‘fantastic job… since the wicket of Vaibhav Suryavanshi’, with SM Meherob proving his value not just with the bat but also with an economical spell. A crucial moment in the chase was Yasir Ali dropping Jitesh Sharma at long-leg, an error that could prove costly as the match enters its decisive phase. This ‘eventful over’ highlighted the tension and high stakes.

The Rising Stars Stage: Talent Under Pressure

The Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament is designed to unearth and hone the next generation of cricketing talent, and this semi-final exemplified its purpose. Players like Vaibhav Suryavanshi, with his audacious hitting, have clearly demonstrated their potential for a bigger stage, potentially catching the eye of IPL scouts who are always on the lookout for such raw talent. Jitesh Sharma, Naman Dhir, and Nehal Wadhera, already having experienced the IPL, faced the added pressure of guiding their young side in a high-stakes knockout game. Jitesh, who struck an unbeaten 83 in the opening game, would be keen to make amends after only managing 5 against a more experienced Pakistan bowling attack, especially with his side in a precarious position.

Harsh Dubey, who showcased his all-round utility with a fifty against Oman and three wickets in the tournament, along with Gurjapneet Singh, India’s leading wicket-taker with five scalps, are other names that have consistently performed. For Bangladesh A, the disciplined bowling efforts from Ripon Mondol and Rakibul Hasan, the latter a member of Bangladesh’s U19 World Cup winning squad in 2020, highlight their strength in depth. The ability of Bangladesh A to bowl out Afghanistan for a paltry 78 earlier in the tournament underscores the stern test their bowlers pose.

Looking Ahead: A Battle of Nerves

As the match heads into its final eight overs, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion. India A needs ‘one decent partnership to put their opponents under pressure’, while ‘another wicket will give Bangladesh A an edge’. The fluctuating fortunes and momentum shifts in this semi-final underscore the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. With Pakistan A set to face Sri Lanka A in the other semi-final, both teams would be keenly aware of the opportunity to book a place in the coveted final.

The match serves as a stark reminder that in T20 cricket, no total is safe, and no chase is insurmountable until the final ball is bowled. The combination of explosive batting and moments of bowling brilliance has made this an unforgettable contest, proving why these ‘Rising Stars’ are indeed the future of the game.

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