Pakistan U23 qualify for the final of ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2019
Pakistan U23 cricket team defeated India U23 by three runs in a nerve wrecking affair to qualify for the final of ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2019 at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka.
Pakistan U23 cricket team just like the senior squad pulled off another improbable win, this time against India U23 side, in a nerve wrecking contest to qualify for the final of ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2019.
Defeat seemed inevitable for the green shirts, as Indian batsmen skillfully countered Pakistan's bowling attack in chase of 268.
Sharath BR, Sanvir Singh and Armaan Jaffer scored 47, 76 and 46 runs respectively to put wind in Indian innings' sails.
Hitting confident strokes against Pakistani international Muhammad Hasnain and first class cricketers Akif Javed and Amad Butt the Indians raced to 67 runs without loss in 10 overs.
The writing on the wall was in India's favour as their score stood at 177-3 after 31 overs. Needing only 90 runs off 114 balls with seven wickets in hand, it should have been smooth sailing for the neighbours.
It was at this time that the U23 side borrowed a play from the senior squad filliping the script completely to bamboozle India.
The bowlers cleaned their line and lengths not offering any free runs to the batsmen and picking up wickets at regular intervals to put pressure on the batting side. The spinners Kushdil Shah and Umer Khan also did their part by restricting the flow of runs.
The match was still in India's favour as they needed eight runs off the final over. Amad Butt then produced the bowling display of his life giving away only 4 runs to help his side edge out a 3 run victory.
Earlier in the game Pakistan had decided to bat after winning the toss. They managed to put up 267 runs in their 50 overs thanks to a game high contribution of 66 runs by opener Omair Yousuf.
Other notable stars with the bat were Haider Ali Khan who scored 43, Rohail Nazir with 35 while Saif Badar remained not out on 47.
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