The Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024, held in Oman, brought together promising cricketers from various Asian nations to compete at a high level and showcase their budding talents.
Afghanistan A emerged as champions in the tournament, defeating Sri Lanka A by seven wickets in a well-fought final, marking a historic moment in Afghan cricket development.
Rangpur Riders sign emerging star Sediqullah Atal, the team will participate in upcoming month’s Global Super League T20 tournament.
Final Match Summary of Sri Lanka A & Afghanistan A
- Sri Lanka A’s Innings:
Sri Lanka A set a target of 134 runs, posting 133/7 in their 20 overs. Their top-scorer, Sahan Arachchige, provided a stable innings with a valiant 64 off 47 balls, anchoring Sri Lanka’s score. Afghanistan’s bowlers, however, dominated the proceedings, particularly Bilal Sami, who claimed 3 wickets for 22 runs in his four-over spell, effectively stifling Sri Lanka’s momentum.
- Afghanistan A’s Response:
Chasing a modest target, Afghanistan A achieved 134/3 in 18.1 overs, powered by a composed 55 off 55 balls by Sediqullah Atal, who maintained his consistency throughout the tournament. Atal’s measured performance underlined his reliability as a top-order batsman, as he anchored Afghanistan’s chase and guided them comfortably past the target with 11 balls remaining. This victory secured Afghanistan A’s first-ever Emerging Teams Asia Cup title.
Standout Performers of Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024
Top Batsmen
- Sediqullah Atal (Afghanistan A)
- Runs Scored: 347
- Average: 115.66
- Atal’s consistency and scoring ability throughout the tournament earned him the Man of the Tournament award.
- Babar Hayat (Hong Kong)
- Runs Scored: 162
- Average: 54.00
- Sahan Arachchige (Sri Lanka A)
- Runs Scored: 147
- Average: 73.50
Top Bowlers
- Dushan Hemantha (Sri Lanka A)
- Wickets: 15
- Average: 8.00
- Hemantha’s skill and accuracy made him a top wicket-taker and a constant threat to opposing teams.
- Rasikh Salam (India A)
- Wickets: 9
- Average: 10.33
- Ripon Mondol (Bangladesh A)
- Wickets: 8
- Average: 10.75
Tournament Journey and Highlights
The tournament featured competitive performances, with several teams showcasing their strengths. The format allowed emerging players from across Asia to experience a higher level of competition, serving as a proving ground for those on the cusp of senior national team selection.
- Group Stage Drama:
Teams like Afghanistan A and Sri Lanka A displayed a winning consistency in the group stage, progressing confidently to the knockout rounds. India A and Bangladesh A also showed strong performances, while players like Babar Hayat from Hong Kong impressed with their batting prowess, although his team could not advance past the group stage.
- Knockout Stages:
Afghanistan A and Sri Lanka A emerged as the strongest contenders, advancing to the final after hard-fought victories in their semifinal matches against tournament’s favorite. Afghanistan’s semifinal win over India A highlighted their strategic depth, as both batting and bowling units operated with precision. Sri Lanka also outclassed Pakistan A batters and won comprehensively.
Impact and Future Prospects
This edition of the Emerging Teams Asia Cup underscored the potential of rising cricket stars in Asia. Afghanistan A’s victory exemplifies the growth of Afghan cricket, with young talents like Sediqullah Atal & Bilal Sami proving they can compete at higher levels.
Other prominent performers of the tournament includes Dushan Hemantha (SL), Rasikh Salam (Ind), Ripon Mondol (Ban), Omain bin Yusuf & Sufyan Muqeem (Pak), and Anas Khan (Hong Kong)
For all teams, this tournament served as a platform to refine their talent pools and identify players ready for international cricket.
In the aftermath, Afghanistan’s emerging squad has set a high bar for future events, marking the team as one to watch as these players transition into more prominent roles on the international stage.