Emerging Asia Cup: India A Beat Bangladesh A; To Face Pakistan A In Final

21.07.2023 - 17:19 sports.ndtv.com

India A set up a potentially high-voltage Emerging Asia Cup final against Pakistan A after defeating Bangladesh A by 51 runs in the semifinals in Colombo on Friday.

Bangladesh had India on the ropes, bundling them out for 211, a total made possible by captain Yash Dhull's impressive 66 off 85 balls.

But, the Indian spinners made use of the slightly tacky pitch to pack Bangladesh off for 160 to celebrate a fine victory. Left-arm spinner Nishant Sindhu accentuated Bangladesh's fall with a five-wicket haul (5 for 20).

But the real protagonist for India's victory was Dhull. He has been spoken about in the Indian domestic circuit as a player to be preserved in cotton wool, and the day's innings showed the reason.

cricket India Cricket Team Pakistan Cricket Team Bangladesh Cricket Team cup Yash Dhull India Bangladesh Pakistan

Last month, after much wait, the Asia Cup 2023 schedule was finally announced by Jay Shah, BCCI secretary and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) head. The timings of the matches were announced on Tuesday. This time the tournament is being played in a hybrid model, after Shah declared last year that India would not be travelling to Pakistan for the event. The tournament will begin with a match between Pakistan and Nepal in Multan, Pakistan, on August 30. The much-awaited India-Pakistan clash will take place in Kandy, Sri Lanka, on September 2. India will face Nepal in the other group stage match on September 4 at the same venue.

"Didn't Ask Them To Send Little Kids": Pakistan Star On India's Emerging Asia Cup Team

The Emerging Asia Cup final between India A and Pakistan A attracted fans' attention from all over the globe. While it was the Indian team that headed into the title-decider as favourites, the Pakistani team emerged triumphant by 128 runs. Since the conclusion of the match, there's been plenty of chatter about the quality of the two sides. In fact, Pakistan A skipper Mohammad Haris even expressed his views on some of the chatter on the topic, slamming those saying India had sent their junior team to the event while Pakistani players had international experience.

Injured Tamim Iqbal Steps Down As Bangladesh Captain, To Miss Asia Cup

Left-handed batter Tamim Iqbal has decided to step down as Bangladesh ODI captain after a recurring back injury ruled him out of the upcoming Asia Cup. The continental ODI tournament will be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 31 to September 2. The 34-year-old, who had announced his shock retirement from ODIs during the home series against Afghanistan before withdrawing his decision, will be eyeing the rubber against visiting New Zealand to get back into reckoning for the World Cup in India.

Watch: Sai Sudharsan Dismissed On No-Ball? Emerging Asia Cup Final Incident Sparks Debate

Sai Sudharsan was the star performer for India A during the ACC Emerging Asia Cup group stage match against Pakistan A but the left-hander was not able to repeat his heroics on Sunday when the two sides met in the summit clash of the tournament. However, his dismissal led to a massive controversy that has engulfed fans on social media. Sudharsan miscued a pull shot off the bowling of Arshad Iqbal and was caught by Mohammad Haris. However, the replays showed that the Pakistan bowler's front leg was dangerously close to the popping crease and a number of social media users thought that it was a no-ball. However, the decision went against the India A batter.

Emerging Teams Asia Cup: Pakistan A Humble India A By 128 Runs To Win Title

Tayyab Tahir's exceptional hundred garnished Pakistan A's march to a commanding 128-run win over India A, for a second consecutive Emerging Teams Asia Cup title in Colombo on Sunday. Once Pakistan posted a mammoth 352 for eight courtesy Tahir's 108 off 71 balls, the result was in no real doubt. India made a fist of it, but ended up at 224 all out in 40 overs to suffer their first defeat in this tournament. From the toss, everything went south for India, who asked Pakistan to bat first — a decision which was a tad puzzling because the chasing team had lost eight matches in the tournament.

Watch: Riyan Parag Completes Stunning Catch, Sends Twitter Into Frenzy During ACC Emerging Asia Cup Final

Riding on an opening stand of 121 followed by a blistering century by Tayyab Tahir, Pakistan 'A' posted a huge total of 352/8 against India 'A' in the final match of the ACC Men's Emerging Cup 2023 in Colombo on Sunday. For India, Riyan Parag and Rajvardhan Hangargekar picked two wickets each, while conceding 24 and 48 respectively. Harshit Rana, Manav Suthar and Nishant Sindhu took one wicket apiece. Put into bat, Pakistan openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub got off to a steady start and put 50 runs on the scoreboard without losing any wickets, off 8.3 overs.