Asia Cup 2018: Match Between India And Afghanistan Ends In A Dramatic Tie

Afghanistan pulled off a sensational tie off the penultimate ball against India in the Super Four stage match of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Tuesday. Mohammad Shahzad’s 124 lifted Afghanistan to 252-8 in 50 overs while India were all out in 49.5 overs with the scores level.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik were adjudged LBW out by the umpire but the replays showed that the ball was missing stumps.

Title holders India have already qualified for Friday’s final where they meet the winners of Pakistan and Bangladesh match in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The result was also a huge morale booster for Afghanistan, who could have easily been in the final if not for the last over losses against Pakistan and Bangladesh earlier in Super Four matches.

Opener Mohammad Shahzad had set up the game for Afghanistan with a whirlwind 124 off 116, the most significant hundred of his career, to take his team to 252 for eight.

Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who took over the captaincy role once again against Afghanistan on Tuesday in the Asia Cup Super Four encounter, indirectly lamented the incorrect decisions made by the umpire in the course of the match. Needing 253 to win, India were bowled out for 252 with Rashid Khan dismissing Ravindra Jadeja in the final over, as the match ended in a tie.

Afghanistan players, on the other hand, can go back home with their heads held high, having competed hard in the tournament.