Emerging Teams Cup: Pakistan U23 fall in opening match

Warrier, Chand lead India U23 to three-wicket win against rivals.

KARACHI:

Pakistan U23 suffered a shaky start at the Asian Cricket Council Emerging Teams Cup, losing to India U23 by three wickets in their opening fixture in Singapore yesterday.

It was a low-scoring Group A encounter between the arch-rivals as Pakistan failed to cross the 200-run mark after being asked to bat first.

The Hammad Azam-led side were on the back foot against an Indian attack comprising of Sandeep Sharma and Sandeep Warrier, who put them under pressure with quick strikes.

Sharma removed the promising Babar Azam for just two runs before two quick wickets from Warrier reduced Pakistan to 22 for three. However, Umar Waheed and Usman Salahuddin rescued the side and added 85 runs for the fourth wicket before the former was dismissed for 46. Salahuddin finished as top scorer with a defiant 61 from 105 balls as Pakistan managed 191 for seven in their allotted 50 overs.

Warrier finished with figures of three for 32 from nine overs while Sharma took a brace after giving away 39 from 10 overs.

In reply, India were given a solid opening stand of 84 runs by Lokesh Rahul and Unmukt Chand that led to the side’s triumph.

Rahul scored 49 while Chand made 61 as India achieved the target with 13 balls to spare. Left-arm spinner Raza Hasan produced impressive figures of three for 39. Warrier claimed the man-of-the-match title for his fiery bowling performance.

Pakistan U23 meets Afghanistan today in their second group match.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2013.

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