Riyan Parag, on Friday (July 21), showed remarkable presence of mind to make a crucial catch during the fierce clash between India A and Bangladesh A in the semi-final of the ongoing 2023 ACC Men’s Rise-Asia Cup.
In a clash where fortunes swung back and forth and tempers flared, India A emerged victorious by 51 runs, in the end, to storm into the final. When asked to bat first, India were in deep trouble having been reduced to 137 for 7.
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The 200-run mark seemed like a distant dream for India A before captain Yash Dhull turned in fifty fights. Skipper India A led from the front and fought a lone battle. He scored 66 runs and was the last Indian wicket to fall, helping his team to record a competitive total of 211 runs.
In response, Bangladesh got off to a good start and looked set to win the game after their openers added 70 runs for the first wicket. However, once opener Tanzid Hasan departed after scoring 51, Bangladesh A’s innings went off the rails. They lost wickets at regular intervals, eventually going for 160.
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Riyan Parag’s clever catch:
Bangladesh were at 154 for 7 at 32 when Riyan Parag came up with a clever idea to send Rakibul Hasan back for a duck. While India was on top at the time, Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s presence on the pitch was still a danger.
But two wickets in two deliveries all but sealed the fate of Bangladesh. After Nishant Sindhu dismissed Mahedi Hasan on the fifth ball of 32, Riyan Parag took the good catch to send Rakibul back on the next delivery. The Assam star had correctly anticipated Rakibul’s reverse sweep and moved to the left of him even before taking the shot.
And as soon as Rakibul hit the shot, it went straight for Riyan Parag. His celebration made it clear that he and his teammates expected something similar from the finalist from Bangladesh.
Here’s a clip from Riyan Parag’s capture:
How clever was that from Riyan?!
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.#EmergingAsiaCup2023 #INDAvBANA pic.twitter.com/i7y0MJJaBL—FanCode (@FanCode) July 21, 2023
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