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Updated 24 Jul, 2023 12:42am

Pakistan A win Emerging Asia Cup beating India A in final

Pakistan A won the Emerging Asia Cup for the second consecutive time beating India A by 128 runs in the final on Sunday in Colombo.

India A were all out in the 40th over, scoring 224 runs while chasing a target of 353 in 50 overs.

After being put to bat first, the Green Shirts set a target of 353 for the Indian side which was powered by a brilliant century by Tayyab Tahir, who smashed 108 on 71 balls.

Prior to Tahir, the opening pair of the Pakistani side gave a strong start as they amassed 121 runs till 17 overs.

Both the opening batters scored fifties as Saim Ayub hit 59 runs off 51 balls. His partner Sahibzada Farhan was sent back to the pavilion in the 22nd over after scoring 65 runs from 62 balls.

After the fall of three wickets in a quick session, Tahir came to the rescue of the Shaheens and stabilise the innings by rotating the strike and creating opportunities for hitting maximums and boundaries.

His 108 runs included four maximums and 12 fours. Tahir was joined by Mubasir Khan, who scored 35 runs from 47 balls.

Chasing a mammoth target of 353, India A’s openers Sai Sudharsan and Abhishek Sharma provided the team with a stable start. They had a partnership of 64 runs.

It was in the ninth over when Arshad Iqbal got the wicket of Sudharsan. He scored 29.

His partner Sharma scored 61 runs off 51 balls before falling to Sufiyan Muqeem in the 20th over.

With the Indian openers back in the pavilion, no batter could play an inning which could put pressure on the Shaheens other than the captain of India A Yash Dhull, who scored 39 off 41 balls.

Pakistan A’s spin bowler Sufiyan Muqeem claimed three wickets including the important scalps of Dhull and Sudharsan. Muqeem went for 66 runs in his 10-over quota.

Mehran Mumtaz had two wickets to his name in the final. He conceded 30 runs in eight overs.

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