Daily Times

KARACHI: Pakistan U23 demolished United Arab Emirates (UAE) U23 by nine wickets in ongoing  Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2018  at National stadium Karachi played on Friday,  December 7.

The 5^th Match of Group B was played between Pakistan and UAE emerging teams as Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first against UAE.

Batting first UAE U23 scored 233 for the loss of nine wickets in 50 overs. Ashiq Ali was the best bowler for Pakistan U23. He took three wickets in 10 over considering 34 runs with one maiden.

In reply Pakistan U23 chased down the target of 234 in just 39 overs and qualified for the semi-finals of the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup. Hussain Talat and Sahibzada Farhan blasted fine centuries to pick an easily win for Pakistan by nine wickets.

Talat and Farhan’s unbeaten 116 and 104 enable Pakistan to achieve the 234-run target in 39 overs for the loss of one wicket.

After losing Ali Imran (5) early, both Farhan and Talat batted handsomely, sharing a stand of 227 for the second-wicket to grab a second successive victory to the hosts. The 22-year-old Talat, who has played 11 T20 International matches, struck 14 fours and two sixes in his excellent 109-ball knock.

Sahibzada Farhan , who had scored 130 in the first match against Hong Kong the other day, smacked 10 fours in his solid 120-ball knock. Left-arm spinner Ahmed Reza was the only successful bowler for UAE with 1-44 in nine overs.

Earlier, UAE opener Ashfaq Ahmed (69) and Mohammad Usman (51*) blasted fifties to enable UAE to post 233-9 in the stipulated 50 overs. Ashfaq, who provided a 63-run opening stand to his team along with Rohan Mustafa (25), hammered nine fours and one six in his 89-ball effort.

The left-handed Usman, who came at No 6, played till the end, hitting four fours in his responsible 61-run knock. Right-arm off-spinner Ashiq Ali was the pick of the bowlers with 3-34 in his 10 overs. Left-arm part-time spinner Khushdil Shah captured 2-29 in 10 overs.

Hussain Talat was declared man of the match for his outstanding 116 not out with the bat and 1 wicket with the ball considering 30 runs in the just 5 overs.