Pakistan ‘A’ created major upset as they beat India ‘A’ by 128 runs in their ACC men’s Emerging Asia Cup cricket tournament final played at R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
If was real team effort by Pakistan young team to clinch the title as earlier Pakistan ‘A’ lost to this same opponent at the league round of this same tournament. In fact Pakistan all rounder Tayyab Tahir was the match hero scoring fighting knock of 108 in 72 balls with 12 fours and 4 sixes and also he was adjudged Man of the Final.
Pakistan ‘A’ scored 352 for 8 wickets to make good challenging total while India ‘A’ were managed to get 224 all out in 40 overs. Sufiyan Muqeem took three wickets to tame India ‘A’.
In fact Sri Lanka ‘A’ led by Dunith Wellalage lost to Pakistan ‘A’ in the semi final while India ‘A’ beat Bangladesh ‘A’ at the the semi final to get through the final.
Overall Sri Lanka ‘A’ team performance were not up to expectations during this tournament and they were able to beat Bangladesh ‘A’ and Nepal ‘A’ while they lost to Afghanistan ‘A’ and Pakistan ‘A’.
Dhammika Ratnaweera