Pakistan A outclassed Jitesh Sharma-led India A to clinch a convincing 8 wicket win in the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 match on Sunday. But like every IND vs PAK game, a controversy broke out in this match as well, with a decision going against India’s favour. India A’s 137-run target was chased down by PAK A in just 13.2 overs, but that wasn’t before a bunch of unhappy Indian players protested against the umpire’s decision over a dismissal.
Controversy erupts in IND A vs PAK A game
The incident occurred in the first ball of the 10th over when Maaz Sadaqat attempted a big hit off Suyash Sharma. Naman Dhir and Nehal Wadhera joined hands to complete a relay catch at the ropes, following which the Indian team started celebrating. Replays showed Wadhera grabbing the ball and then throwing it to Dhir as he started to fall. When the on-field umpires requested the third umpire to take a look if the catch was clean, the latter adjudged it as not out.
Adding fuel to the fire, the ball was called a dot ball. This led to the Indian team having a heated exchange with the umpires in the middle, but nothing went in their favour. While the Indian team’s efforts to get a breakthrough went in vain, the updated laws announced by the MCC earlier this year prove that the third umpire’s decision to give not out was indeed right.
Eventually, Maaz stayed unbeaten on 79 off 47 deliveries to power Pakistan A to a mammoth win against their arch-rivals. He was phenomenal with the ball to earlier, finishing with a spell of 3/12 from his 3 overs. His all-round prowess earned him the Player of the Match award.
Meanwhile, the top-scorer for India A was 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi who managed to score 45 runs off 28 balls before he was sent packing. While the rest of the team faltered, India A were bowled out for 136 runs in 19 overs.
