Pakistan Shaheens
In a thrilling encounter at the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 held in Al Amarat on Saturday, the Pakistan Shaheens narrowly lost to India A by just seven runs. The match was a tense affair, with both teams displaying their skills in a hard-fought battle.
After winning the toss, India A opted to bat first, setting a target of 184 runs. They concluded their innings with a score of 183 runs for the loss of eight wickets.
The Indian batsmen contributed significantly, with captain Tilak Varma leading from the front, scoring 44 runs off 35 balls. He was well supported by Prabhsimran Singh, who made 36 runs off 19 balls, and Abhishek Sharma, who chipped in with 35 runs from 22 deliveries.
Nehal Wadhera also added valuable runs, scoring 25 off 22 balls. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, the Indian batters maintained a steady scoring rate, finishing their innings with an impressive run rate of 9.15.
Pakistan’s bowling attack was led by Sufiyan Muqeem, who claimed two wickets, while Mohammad Imran, Zaman Khan, Arafat Minhas, and Qasim Akram each took one wicket.
The Pakistan bowlers managed to contain the Indian batsmen somewhat but struggled to break the partnerships that were crucial to India’s innings.
Chasing a target of 184, the Pakistan Shaheens got off to a rocky start, losing their captain, Muhammad Haris, on just the second ball of the innings after he hit a six.
His replacement, Omair Yousuf, also had a brief outing, scoring just two runs off seven balls.
However, opener Yasir Khan stepped up, scoring a quick 33 runs off 22 balls, which included one four and three sixes. Qasim Akram also played a vital role, contributing 27 runs off 21 balls.
As the innings progressed, Pakistan found themselves in trouble, losing four wickets within the first ten overs. The pressure mounted as they struggled to build partnerships.
However, a glimmer of hope emerged when Arafat Minhas and Haider Ali formed a partnership, helping the team cross the 100-run mark in the 13th over.
Unfortunately, after Haider’s dismissal, Minhas was joined by Abdul Samad, who managed to score 25 runs off 15 balls.
Despite their efforts, the Pakistani batsmen faltered in the face of tight Indian bowling, and after the dismissals of Minhas and Samad, their chances of securing victory dwindled. Ultimately, the Shaheens fell short, finishing their innings at 176 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
This match showcased the competitive spirit and resilience of both teams, but it was India A that emerged victorious in a tightly contested battle, leaving the Pakistan Shaheens to reflect on their performance and strategize for future encounters.
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