In an electrifying semi-final of the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha, Bangladesh ‘A’ edged past India in a match full of last-over drama. The game went down to the wire, with India needing 21 runs from the final two overs with five wickets in hand. Right-arm pacer Ripon Mondal emerged as the hero, taking two crucial wickets in the super over to seal the victory.
Earlier in the 20-over match, Bangladesh had scored 194/6. While chasing, India came agonisingly close. In the final over, a critical missed catch by Akbar Ali and a misfield by Zishan Alam left India with a chance to tie. On the last ball, Harsh Dube misjudged a second run, but the stumps remained intact, resulting in a tie that led to a super over.
In the super over, Ripon was exceptional. On the first two balls, he dismissed India’s top two batsmen. With India all out for 0 in the super over, Bangladesh needed just 1 run. Yasir Ali was dismissed on the first ball, but Akbar Ali stepped in. A wide by Suwash Sharma then secured the victory, sparking jubilation among the Bangladesh ‘A’ team.
Captain of Bangladesh ‘A’ said, “One small mistake could have cost us the game, but our players’ composure and Ripon’s brilliance carried us through. This win is a big boost for our young cricketers.”
Bangladesh ‘A’ now advance to the Rising Stars Asia Cup final, keeping their unbeaten streak alive and showcasing the depth of young talent in Bangladeshi cricket. Ripon Mondal’s super over performance will be remembered as a defining moment in youth cricket history.
Score Summary
| Team | Innings | Runs/Target | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh ‘A’ | Bat | 194/6 | Akbar Ali & Mahmudul key contributions |
| India ‘A’ | Bat | 21 runs needed, 5 wickets in hand | Last-over drama, Harsh Dube & Jitesh Sharma out |
| Super Over | Bangladesh vs India | 1 run needed | Ripon Mondal 2 wickets, Suwash Sharma wide, Akbar Ali clinches win |