Pakistan A thumped India A by 128 runs in the final of ACC Men's Emerging Asia Cup 2023 on Sunday (23rd July) in Colombo.

The platform for the impressive win was set up pretty early in the game, when Pakistan A racked up an impressive total of 350/10, after being put into bat first. Openers Saim Ayub (59 off 51) and Sahibzada Farhan (65 off 62) raised similar fifties and formed a huge opening partnership of 121 on the board. The effort set them up for a score in excess of 350 and they did it with the late swashbuckling ton by Tayyab Tahir.

For Pakistan A, it all started with a good powerplay upfront which saw the total an effortless 69 runs in the tally after mandatory powerplay. Both batters scored more freely thereafter, with Saim Ayub smakcing Indian bowlers everywhere and Sahibzada Farhan supporting him properly they added 121 runs before Saim Ayub saw himself in the hands of Dhruv Jurel after making a fine 59 off 51 balls. Sahibzada Farhan too followed his partner's way but in sadistic way as he got himself ran out after scoring a quick-fire 65 from 62 balls. Omair Yusuf had some briliant time at the middle as he was finding his hands nicely but couldn't get going as he made 35 off 35.

The game was changed with the glorious batting from 29 old batter Tayyab Tahir as he gave Pakistan a rollicking power in the middle overs and started to score runs at a rapid pace. Mubasir Khan aided him with a gritty 35 off 47 balls. But Tayyab Tahir changed the scenario of the game as he went for a swashbuckling hundred and made 108 off only 71 balls with a jaw dropping strike rate of 152.11. The innings was orchestrated with 12 boundaries and 4 massive sixes. With the help of their batters and Tayyab Tahir's exceptional effort Pakistan A posted an imposing 352-8 after alloted 50 overs.

In reply of 353, India had a breezy start as their openers added 64 after playing 8.3 overs. Abhishek Sharma made a brilliant 61 off 51 balls and then went back to the pavilion. After the departure of the openers, India fell like dominoes. Their batters threw wickets and Pakistan were chipping away with wickets at regular intervals. IPL star Riyan Parag flopped horribly and skipper Yash Dhull made only 39 off 41 but couldn’t long his innings hence India lost the plot of the match. And hence they lost the match by a massive total of 128 runs.