NEW DELHI: VK Vineeth’s fighting fifty could not prevent India A from suffering a 65-run defeat to Afghanistan in an inconsequential final league match of the Under-19 Tri-Series here on Thursday.

This marked India A’s second loss in the tournament, having earlier gone down to the same opponents by six wickets on November 1.

Afghanistan post competitive total

Skipper Mahboob Khan (50) and Azizullah Miakhil (60) produced solid half-centuries to steer Afghanistan to a competitive 233 for eight after being sent in to bat. Afghan openers Khalid Ahmadzai (30) and Osman Sadat (9) had started cautiously, adding 39 before three quick wickets reduced them to 54 for three.

Another setback at 83 for four brought Mahboob and Azizullah together, and the duo added 87 valuable runs to steady the innings.

Afghanistan slipped to 199 for eight in the 47th over, but Nooristani Omarzai (28) and Abdul Aziz (15) added an unbeaten 34-run stand off 21 balls to lift the total past 230.

India A crumble in chase

In reply, India A were bowled out for 168 in 30.2 overs, despite a determined 62-ball 63 from Vineeth, which included 11 fours and a six. The chase began disastrously as opener Wafi Diamond Kachchi was run out off the first ball by Azizullah Miakhil. Pacer Abdul Aziz (3/48) then dismantled the top order, removing Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani for a duck and leaving India A at 0 for 2.

Skipper Vihaan Malhotra (13) fell in the fourth over to medium pacer Salam Khan (3/35), who also accounted for Abhigyan Kundu (12) and Mohamed Enaam (1), reducing India A to 85 for five inside 11 overs. Left-arm spinner Roohullah Arab struck in the 21st and 23rd overs, dismissing Kanishk Chouhan (16) and the set Vineeth to almost end India’s resistance.

India A will face Afghanistan again in the final on November 30.

(With PTI Inputs)