India A's commanding seven-wicket victory over the UAE A in the Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup on Monday saw Ayush Badoni pulling off what could turn out to be a candidate for the catch of the tournament.
After bowling UAE out for 107 in their Group B match, India raced to the target in 10.5 overs for a seven-wicket win. Vice-captain and opener Abhishek Sharma starred with a 24-ball 58.
But before that, Rasikh Salam (3 for 15) led the Indian bowling attack with an unplayable spell of fast bowling. However, Badoni stole the limelight in the 15th over of the UAE innings bowled by Ramandeep Singh (2 for 7).
UAE tailender Jawadullah hit an aerial shot to long-on, and it looked destined for a boundary until Badoni, running to his right, dived full-length in the air to pluck the ball out of thin air.
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Later in the UAE innings, Rasikh ripped through the UAE's top order in a single over, triggering a collapse that saw the Emirates team fall like a pack of cards.
The 24-year-old pacer started the over by dismissing Nilansh Keswani for 5 off 9 balls, with Vaibhav Arora taking a sharp catch. On the very next delivery, Rasikh had Vishnu Sukumaran caught behind by wicketkeeper Prabhsimran Singh, which put him on a hat-trick.
Though he missed the hat-trick, 'Man of the Match' Rasikh bowled Syed Haider on the fifth ball of the over, claiming his third wicket.
