KL Rahul Prevailed Over Babar & Rizwan | What Happened Last Time When IND & PAK Clashed in Emerging Asia Cup Final
Suryakumar Yadav led India to the title [Twitter]
After a series of intriguing battles, the emerging Asia Cup is all set for a cracking finish, with arch-rivals India and Pakistan scheduled to take on each other in the final, staged at the iconic R. Premdasa stadium in Colombo on Sunday. The group-stage fixture between the two teams saw India steamroll Pakistan by a whopping eight-wicket margin.
This is the second time India and Pakistan will be up against each other in the Emerging Asia Cup final. The last time they locked horns in the tournament final, India registered a clinical nine-wicket victory. So, as both teams gear up for the ultimate battle, let's go back to 2013 when Suryakumar Yadav-led India crushed Pakistan in the Emerging Asia Cup final.
Indian bowlers run riot as Pakistan u-23 bowled out for 159
After opting to bat first, Pakistan u-23 had a steady start, courtesy of an impressive 21-run cameo from Mohammad Rizwan. However, Sandeep Sharma drew the first blood for India, dismissing the keeper-batter in the ninth over. Pakistan's current skipper Babar Azam recorded a failure in the game, being dismissed for a sloth-paced 31-ball seven by Sandeep Warrier in the next over.
Umar Waheed and Usman Salahuddin steadied the ship for Pakistan, stitching a 54-run stand for the third wicket. However, India made a remarkable comeback into the game as soon as Suryakumar Yadav got rid of Salahuddin. His dismissal opened the floodgates for Pakistan, as they lost wickets regularly, being bundled out for a paltry 159 in 47 overs.
Wily off-spinner Baba Aparajith starred with the ball for India, scalping three wickets for 28 runs.
KL Rahul's sensational knock guides India to the silverware
In response, India suffered an early setback, losing Unmukt Chand for 15 in the sixth over. However, KL Rahul and Manprit Juneja formed an exceptional unbeaten 132-run partnership for the second wicket, helping them hunt down the total with nine wickets and 98 balls to spare.
Rahul emerged as India's hero with the bat, as he hammered his way through to a belligerent 107-ball 93* with the help of eleven fours and a six. On the other hand, Juneja played as the second fiddle to perfection, amassing 51 runs off 77 deliveries.
The duo's valiant efforts led India to the title and Rahul was adjudged the player of the match for his incredible innings.
Brief Scores
Pakistan u-23: 159 (47)
Umar Waheed 41 (64), Usman Qadir 33 (32);
Baba Aparajith 3/28 (7), Suryakumar Yadav 2/20 (10)
India u-23: 160/1 (33.4)
KL Rahul 93* (107), Manprit Juneja 51* (77);
Raza Hasan 1/41 (8.4)
India u-23 won by nine wickets.
 "Debashis Sarangi")
