The final curse continued in Emerging Asia Cup 2023 as well. Yash Dhull-led India A lost to Mohammad Haris’ Pakistan A in the final by a massive margin of 128 runs at R.Premadasa Stadium on July 23. Tayyab Tahir’s 71-ball 108 followed by clinical bowling display helped Pakistan Shaheens defend their title.
Controversial dismissals
In reply to Pakistan’s 352/8, India got off to a flying start. Sai Sudharsan and Abhishek Sharma took on the bowlers in powerplay overs. India's score crossed the 50-run mark in the sixth over. In the ninth over, Arshad Iqbal troubled Sudharsan with short deliveries. Sudharsan went for the pull shot and top-edge carried to wicketkeeper Haris. However, the replay showed that Iqbal had overstepped but the third umpire gave him out. Sudharsan scored 29 runs from 28 balls in the 64-run opening partnership.
Nikin Jose fell trying to play a cross-batted shot off Mohammad Wasim Jr. He was given out caught behind when the ball had not hit the bat. He scored 11 runs from 15 balls. Skipper Dhull and Abhishek Sharma got the run chase back on track. Sharma got to his half-century. Sufiyan Muqeem broke the 52-run partnership for the third wicket. The southpaw scored 61 runs from 51 balls including five fours and one six. Nishant Sindhu played an unnecessary lofted shot to lose his wicket for just 10 runs. Dhull threw his wicket away too and became Muqeem's second victim of the night. He scored 39 runs from 41 balls including four fours.
Pakistan win big
India lost half their side for 159 in the 26th over. Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag failed to make a mark and fell to Mehran Mumtaz. Harshit Rana entertained with a couple of sixes and then became Muqeem's final victim of the day. Rajvardhan Hangargekar got bowled by Iqbal. However, the replay showed that Iqbal had overstepped but the decision went in Pakistan's favour.
Hangargekar’s costly no ball
Earlier, Dhull won the toss and opted to field first. Pakistan got off to a brilliant start during fielding restrictions. In the fourth over, Hangargekar got Saim Ayub's wicket but off a no ball. Ayub was batting on 16 then. After 10 overs, Pakistan A were 69/0. The onslaught continued and both batters got to their respective half-centuries. Suthar broke the partnership in the 18th over after getting hit for a six. Ayub scored 59 runs from 51 balls including seven fours and two sixes in the 121-run partnership.
Quick wickets
Sahibzada Farhan got run out trying to sneak a single as Dhull was quick to get to the ball and release. Sahibzada scored 65 runs from 62 balls including four fours and as many sixes. Omair Yousuf scored quickly and was nearing his half-century. In the 28th over, Parag struck twice. Parag took an incredible catch off his own bowling. Yousuf contributed with a run-a-ball 35 including four boundaries. Next ball, Qasim Akram went for the big shot and got caught by Rana at deep mid-wicket as he got dismissed for a golden duck. In the next over, Sindhu trapped Haris in front of the stumps for a single-digit score.
Tahir’s match-winning knock
Tahir attacked as Mubasir Khan took his time. Tahir's catch was also dropped off Parag's bowling by wicketkeeper Jurel. Tahir attacked and got to his half-century from just 42 balls. He continued to attack and got to his century with a boundary off Suthar in the 44th over from just 66 balls. Hangargekar broke the partnership in the 45th over. Tahir scored 108 runs from 71 balls including 12 fours and four sixes. Hangargekar got the wicket of Mubasir in their next over. He scored 35 runs from 47 balls including two fours and two sixes. Pakistan A lost another wicket in the slog overs but managed to post 352/8.
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