A dramatic batting collapse saw favourites India A slump to an eight-wicket defeat against Pakistan Shaheens in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament on Sunday. (Image credit: Agencies)

NEW DELHI: A dramatic batting collapse saw favourites India A slump to an eight-wicket defeat against Pakistan Shaheens in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament on Sunday. After choosing to bowl first, the Shaheens mounted a strong comeback to dismiss India A for just 136 despite the opposition cruising at 91 for three by the 10th over.Pakistan made light work of the 137-run chase, achieving the target with 40 balls remaining to register their second win in a row, while India fell to their first defeat after a commanding opening victory over the UAE.Mohammad Faiq sealed the win in style, launching Naman Dhir for a massive six over deep mid-wicket, sparking wild celebrations in the Shaheens’ camp.Faiq and Maaz Sadaqat — who finished unbeaten and carried Pakistan home — were visibly fired up as they headed back to the dugout. High-fives, roars and bear hugs followed as the players celebrated the emphatic result.Watch the video hereOpener Sadaqat was the star of the chase, smashing an unbeaten 79 off 47 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, after earlier taking two wickets with his left-arm spin. His innings included a stroke of luck when Vaibhav Suryavanshi spilled a simple catch at point.Earlier, India A opted to bat first and got off to a flying start thanks to teenage sensation Suryavanshi’s 28-ball 45 and Naman Dhir’s brisk 35 off 20 balls. But the innings unraveled quickly as medium pacer Shahid Aziz led Pakistan’s charge with 3/24 from three overs.Saad Masood and Sadaqat picked up two wickets each, triggering a collapse that saw India lose eight wickets for just 35 runs in the final 10 overs, having looked set for a total close to 175-180.Suryavanshi, fresh off a record century in the previous match, continued to attack but mistimed a big hit and was caught at long-on by Faiq, who did well to stay inside the ropes off Sufiyan Muqeem’s bowling. The wicket — confirmed after multiple replays — proved the turning point as Pakistan’s bowlers tightened their grip and choked India’s scoring.Riding on that momentum, Aziz, Masood and Sadaqat showed excellent discipline to finish the job, ensuring a commanding win for the Shaheens.