Emerging Asia Cup Final | Tayyab Tahir’s 108 Flattens Yash Dhull & Co. As India A Lose Big In Final

Tayyab Tahir celebrates his century in final (SLC)

India A, flying high from their four successive wins, got their confidence disrupted on the big day against their Pakistani counterparts. The ‘Boys in Blue’ went down to their arch-rivals by 128 runs in the final of the 2023 Emerging Asia Cup in Colombo, despite having defeated them earlier in the tournament by a huge margin at the same venue.

Tayyab Tahir was the star of the show for Pakistan A with a scorching century in the middle order. His 71-ball hurricane boosted his side to a monumental 352-run total upfront. Bowlers effortlessly completed the demolition job later in the game by dismantling a strong Indian A batting line-up to just 224.

Pakistan clinch second Emerging Asia Cup title with ease

Pakistan A openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan cracked sparkling half-centuries at the top in their 121-run stand after being put into bat by India A captain Yash Dhull. Ayub was the first to depart, while Farhan was removed courtesy of Dhull and Dhruv Jurel’s fielding dexterity inside the ring.

Tayyab Tahir, at number four, made full use of his team’s blistering start and even rescued them after an unwavering period of play where they lost three wickets in the space of two overs. While it seemed that Pakistan had squandered away their opener’s efforts at 187-5, Tahir launched a counterattacking act through his 126-run stand with Mubasir Khan, which took them past the 300-run mark.

The right-hander launched 12 boundaries and four sixes in his 71-ball knock to unleash a brutal 108 against India A bowlers. Mohammad Wasim’s 10-ball cameo at the death eventually took Pakistan A to 352-8 from their 50 overs. 

Sharma receives little support as India A fall short in run-chase

India A got off to a confident start courtesy of a sublime 64-run opening stand by Sai Sudharsan and Abhishek Sharma. The latter of the two batters even registered his fifth List A half-century and his second of the tournament.

However, Sharma’s dismissal triggered a colossal batting collapse within the Indian camp, as they slumped from 132-2 at one stage to 224 all out. Apart from 51-ball 61, only captain Yash Dhull managed to cross the 30-run mark in a monumental run-chase with his 39.

For Pakistan, left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem struck thrice in his 10-over spell, while Arshad Iqbal and Mehran Mumtaz also got them crucial breakthroughs in critical junctures of the game.

Brief Scores

Pakistan A: 352-8 (50)
Tayyab Tahir 108 (71), Sahibzada Farhan 65 (62)
Riyan Parag 2-24 (4), Rajvardhan Hangargekar 2-48 (6)

India A: 224 (40)
Abhishek Sharma 61 (51), Yash Dhull 39 (41)
Sufiyan Muqeem 3-66 (10), Mohammad Wasim Jr 2-26 (6)

Pakistan A won by 128 runs. 

---

ALSO READ

[Watch] Yash Dhull and Dhruv Jurel Join Hands To Deliver a Remarkable Run-Out in the Emerging Asia Cup Final

---