India A suffered their second defeat in the U-19 Tri-Series after losing to Afghanistan by 65 runs. This was also their second loss against the same opponents, following a six-wicket defeat earlier in the tournament on November 1.
Afghanistan began strongly, led by a composed batting display. Their disciplined top order set a sturdy platform before the lower-middle order capitalized in the later overs. India’s bowlers struggled to control the run flow in the middle phase, allowing Afghanistan to post a competitive total.
Chasing the target, India A’s batting lineup faltered early. Despite a resilient half-century from Vineeth, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, preventing any stable partnerships from forming.
The turning point came as India A collapsed after the dismissal of Vineeth. Afghanistan’s bowlers tightened their grip with controlled line and length, exploiting the pressure. The fielding unit supported the effort with sharp catches and effective ground coverage.
After the game, team management acknowledged the need for stronger middle-order stability and improved execution under pressure. The focus for India A will now shift to addressing consistency issues before their next fixture.
“We had moments to take control but couldn’t finish well,” a team official commented post-match.
Author’s summary: India A’s batting collapse overshadowed Vineeth’s fifty as Afghanistan secured a 65-run victory, repeating their earlier triumph in the U-19 Tri-Series.