SL 'A' beat Shaheens to qualify for final

The final of ACC Emerging Teams' Asia Cup will be held on Sunday

Sri Lanka A beat Pakistan Shaheens by seven wickets in the first semi-final at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground in Muscat on Friday to qualify for the final of the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup.

The second semi-final will be played between Afghanistan A and India A later today. The final of the tournament will be held on Sunday, 27 October.

Chasing 136 to win, Sri Lanka 'A' achieved the target in the 17th over. For the winning team, Ahan Wickramasinghe returned undefeated on 52 off 46 balls, which included four fours and a six. Wicketkeeper-batter Lahiru Udara, opening the innings, scored a quick-fire 43 off 20 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes.

Earlier, opting to bat first in the first semi-final, Pakistan Shaheens managed to score 135 for nine in their 20 overs. Opening batter Omair Bin Yousuf was the top run-getter for the side scoring 68 off 46 balls, which included five fours and four sixes.

Haider Ali (14, 15b), Mohammad Imran Jnr (13, 12b, 2x4s) and Arafat Minhas (10, 8b, 1x4) were the other batters to reach double figures.

For Sri Lanka A, Dushan Hemantha bagged four wickets for 21 in four overs, while Eshan Malinga and Nipun Ransika took two wickets apiece.

Quaid Trophy begins today

A prize pot of PKR12.6 million will be up for grabs as Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024-25 begins today.

As many as 18 teams will be in action across seven cities with Karachi Region Whites, defending champions of the premier first-class tournament, beginning this year's campaign against Peshawar Region at the Ashfaq Ground in Charsadda.

The winner of the tournament will bag PKR7.5 million while the runners-up will collect PKR four million.

Each side will get an opportunity to play a minimum of five matches in the group stage, with the top team from each group progressing to the triangular stage. In the triangular stage, the first-placed team from each group will play two matches, with the top two sides qualifying for the final, set to take place from 14 to 18 December. The venues of the triangular stage and the final will be confirmed in due course.