The Pakistan Shaheens cricket team has returned home victorious after successfully defending their ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup title. The team emerged victorious in a thrilling final against India A, securing a comprehensive 128-run win at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday evening.
The star of the final and a driving force behind Shaheens’ triumph was the talented right-handed batter, Tayyab Tahir, who scored a match-winning century, leaving a lasting impact on the tournament.
The 50-over tournament, held in Colombo from 13 to 23 July, featured eight teams divided into two groups. Shaheens finished second in their group after securing wins against Nepal and UAE A but facing a defeat against India A.
In the semi-finals, Shaheens showcased remarkable resilience and defeated Sri Lanka A by 60 runs, paving their way to the final where they emerged as unstoppable from the very beginning, led by Tayyab’s stellar performance.
Throughout the tournament, several Shaheens players displayed exceptional form. Tayyab Tahir, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, and Saim Ayub stood out in the batting charts, with three of them finishing among the top 10 batters of the tournament.
In the bowling department, Sufiyan Muqeem, Arshad Iqbal, Qasim Akram, and Shahnawaz Dahani excelled, taking crucial wickets and contributing to the team’s success.
After successfully defending the title, Captain Mohammad Haris expressed his excitement and satisfaction. Haris, who played a key role behind the stumps with six dismissals, including four catches and two stumpings, praised the team’s efforts and determination.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, Haris credited the wake-up call they received after losing to India A in the group stage, which inspired them to bounce back stronger in the final. He highlighted the team’s learning from their mistakes and the confidence they gained from trying different combinations throughout the tournament.
The captain also acknowledged the support of the senior team, who celebrated their triumph, providing extra motivation. Haris emphasized the role of the support staff, who worked tirelessly with the players during the camp in Lahore and in Sri Lanka, backing and guiding them to success.
Furthermore, Haris mentioned the pep talk given by Pakistan men’s senior team captain Babar Azam, which greatly motivated the players before the final.
With their impressive performance and successful title defense in the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, the Pakistan Shaheens cricket team has earned accolades and celebration, showcasing the depth of talent in the emerging players of Pakistan’s cricketing landscape.
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