Arshin Kulkarni showcased a stellar all-around performance, guiding India to a convincing seven-wicket triumph over Afghanistan in the inaugural match of the 2023 ACC U-19 Asia Cup held in Dubai on Friday.
Electing to field, the ‘Colts in Blue showcased their bowling prowess, with Maharashtra’s Arshin Kulkarni leading the charge with figures of 3/29. His fellow seamer, Raj Limbani, also made an impactful contribution, securing three wickets, while left-arm quick Naman Tiwari impressively claimed 2/30, including two maiden overs. Spinners Murugan Abhishek and Musheer Khan chipped in with a wicket each, restricting Afghanistan to a total of 173 at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
Afghanistan’s Jamshid Zadran was the lone batsman to surpass 30, crafting a patient 43 off 75 deliveries, forming a crucial 49-run partnership with Sohil Khan. However, the Indian bowlers maintained control and limited the Afghan batting lineup.
Check out ACC U-19 Asia Cup 2023: Comprehensive Guide – Schedule, Teams, and Live Streaming Information.
In response, India faced early setbacks, losing two wickets with the scoreboard at 32. Arshin Kulkarni emerged as the savior, orchestrating a resilient comeback with a pivotal 44-run partnership for the third wicket alongside skipper Uday Saharan. Kulkarni continued his heroics, anchoring an unbroken 98-run fourth-wicket stand with Musheer Khan to seal the victory.
Kulkarni’s unbeaten 70 off 105 deliveries, featuring four boundaries, played a crucial role in India’s successful chase. Musheer Khan, the brother of Delhi Capitals and Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan, also remained unbeaten on 48 off 53 deliveries. For Afghanistan, Bashir Ahmed, Khalel Ahmad, and Wahidullah Zadran claimed a wicket each, but it wasn’t enough to thwart India’s determined pursuit.
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The anticipation surrounding Arshin Kulkarni’s potential in the upcoming IPL 2024 mini-auction is building, with expectations of substantial bids. Recognized as a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder, Kulkarni is generating significant interest among franchises.
As the tournament progresses, India, boasting a remarkable record with eight titles in nine editions, is set to face Pakistan in their upcoming clash on Sunday.
