Asia Cup final: Pakistan A wins the title with a 128-run margin
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Colombo: In a thrilling finale of the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, Pakistan A emerged victorious by a convincing 128-run margin against India A in Colombo.
The high-stakes encounter saw Pakistan A put up a formidable total of 352/8 in their 50 overs, setting a challenging target for India A to chase.
Batting first, Pakistan A's Tayyab Tahir was the standout performer, displaying brilliant batting with a knock of 108 runs off just 71 balls. Tahir's explosive innings, combined with his exceptional fielding skills, turned the tide in favor of the men in green.
In pursuit of the imposing target of 353 runs, India A made a strong start, with openers Sai Sudharsan and Abhishek Sharma forging a promising 64-run partnership. However, Sudharsan's dismissal under controversial circumstances impacted India's momentum. Despite some resistance from skipper Yash Dhull, who scored 39 runs, India faced a batting collapse, losing wickets at regular intervals.
As the run rate soared, India A was left with no choice but to take risks, leading to further wickets falling. Eventually, India A was bowled out for 224 runs, falling short of the target by 128 runs.
The Pakistan A bowlers executed their plans well, keeping the Indian batsmen in check and not allowing them to build substantial partnerships. Arshad Iqbal's impressive bowling performance proved pivotal as he picked up crucial wickets, including the dismissal of Sudharsan. Meanwhile, Tayyab Tahir's all-round brilliance with both bat and fielding earned him the Man of the Match award.
The victory marked Pakistan A's second consecutive triumph in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup.
While the match provided valuable learning opportunities for the young Indian cricketers, it was Pakistan A's day, as they avenged their defeat to India A in an early match in the tournament.
The India A batting lineup showed promise at times, with Abhishek Sharma leading the charge with a composed knock of 44 runs. However, their chase was derailed by timely strikes from the Pakistan A bowlers, forcing India A to regroup and strategise for future encounters.
The match was characterised by its share of dramatic moments and tense situations. Pakistan A's dominant performance showcased their talent and depth, serving as a testament to the country's flourishing cricketing prospects.
