July 24, 2023
DHAKA – Pakistan A retained their ACC Men’s Emerging Cup title in grand fashion, beating India A by 128 runs in the final in Colombo on Sunday.
A century from Tayyab Tahir and fifties from openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan saw Pakistan post a mammoth 352 for eight before restricting India A to 224 in 40 overs in the 50-over contest.
Openers Ayub (59 off 51) and Farhan (65 off 62) gave Pakistan a solid start, stitching together a 121-run opening stand. Then it was the 29-year-old Tayyab who dominated the game, hiting a rapid 71-ball 108, laced with 12 boundaries and four maximums to propel Pakistan to a mammoth total.
Despite a 51-ball 61 from opener Abhishek Sharma, India A never looked in control of the chase as they eventually faltered.