Suryavanshi blazes India A to record-smashing win over UAE

DOHA

India’s rising star 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi gave a glimpse of what he is capable of in India’s mammoth 148-run win over UAE in the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 at West End International Cricket Stadium in Doha on Friday.

The southpaw made most of the dropped chance when he had yet to open his account to carve out 144-run knock as India A started their campaign opener on an emphatic note.

Suryavanshi's knock which came off just 42 balls helped India post a mammoth total of 297 for 4 in 20 overs and in reply UAE were restricted to 149 for 7. India’s 297 was the highest total posted by a team in the T20 and broke the record set by Pakistan earlier in the day against Oman when they had scored 220 in their allotted 20 overs.

Earlier, India A captain Jitesh Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first and what one saw was absolute class and savage batting. The UAE bowlers had no clue of what hit them as he send the ball in different directions, both of the front foot and of the back boot and with absolute ease at times with savage bowlers and on occasion with silky grace, in all he hit 11 fours and 15 sixes.

The southpaw raced to his fifty in 17 balls and scored his century in just 32 balls. Suryavanshi shared a 163-run second-wicket stand off 57 balls with Naman Dhir (34). Jitesh 83 not out off 32 balls provided India the late impetus.

UAE were never really in the chase, but Sohaib Khan's 63 off 41 helped them reach a respectable total in the massive chase. Gurjapneet Singh was the pick of the bowlers for India A with figures of 3 for 18

Suryavanshi is not new to hitting centuries in the T20 and rose to stardom with a quick-fire century in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Asked to rate his performance at the post-match presentation ceremony, the man of the match winner said: “I will give it 75 out of 100.”

Earlier, Pakistan Shaheens helped by an all-round performance by Maaz Sadaqat, made a dominant start with a comprehensive 40-run victory over Oman at the same venue.

Left-handed opening batter Maaz anchored the Shaheens’ innings with a scintillating 96 not out off 54 balls, laced with five fours and nine sixes.

Yasir Khan (26), captain Muhammad Irfan Khan (44), Saad Masood (19) helped Shaheen’s post 220 for four in their allotted 20 overs.

For Oman, four bowlers claimed a wicket apiece, with Muzahir Raza returning the most economical figures of one for 27.

Chasing a daunting 221 for victory, Oman’s innings never got going despite a fighting half-century from Zikria Islam, who came in at number seven and struck 57 off 28 balls. Muzahir also scored an unbeaten 46 off 24 balls, which included four fours and four sixes. For Shaheens, fast bowler Ubaid Shah impressed with figures of three for 29, while Maaz continued his all-round brilliance by taking two for 14. Right-arm leg-spinner Saad also chipped in with two for 27 as Oman finished on 180 for nine.

The two arch rivals now face each other on Sunday November 16 at the same venue.