Singapore: India under-23 succumbed to a 28-run defeat against Afghanistan in group match of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Emerging Teams Cup in Singapore on Thursday. This was the maiden win for Afghanistan against any Test-playing nation.

India were defending a total of 184 runs, but some good bowling by Afghan skipper Mohammad Nabi, who scalped three wickets with an economy of 3.20, helped his team rattle the Indian batting order.

However, the silver lining for the Indian team was opener Lokesh Rahul, who struck a gutsy half-century when all other batsmen simply bite the dust. India were restricted to 9/156 in their 50 overs but this defeat didn’t altered the table much for India as they still managed to qualify for the semi-finals where they will take on UAE on Friday.

India were the hot-favourites to win the tie but middle-order failed to live upto the expectations as Unmukt Chand (10), Baba Aparajith (2) and Ashok Menaria (5) departed quickly and with that India was out of the match.

Earlier in the day, India won the toss and elected to bowl first but the Afghan’s opening pair in
Karim Sadiq (25) and Mohammad Shahzad (38) ensured that India’s new ball bowlers didn't do much damage to their batting line-up. After their departure, it was the turn of Samiullah Shenwari to steer his side from the middle-muddle with his scintillating knock of 43 runs off just 44 balls which allowed them to post a competitive total of 184 runs on the board.

Baba Aparajith made his presence felt in the bowling department as he picked up couple of wickets for just 16 runs he conceded.

Brief scores:

Afghanistan under-23: 184/7 in 50 overs (Samiullah Shenwari 43*, Mohammad Shahzad 38; Baba Aparajith 2/16)

India under-23: 156/9 in 50 overs (Lokesh Rahul 51; Mohammad Nabi 3/32)