Pakistan Shaheens emerged victorious in their opening match of the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2023, defeating Nepal by four wickets at the Colombo Cricket Ground in Sri Lanka on Friday. Shahnawaz Dahani’s exceptional five-wicket haul played a pivotal role in securing the win for the defending champions.
Opting to bat first, Nepal struggled against the fiery pace attack of Pakistan Shaheens. The right-arm pacers, Dahani and Mohammad Wasim Jnr, were the standout performers, accounting for nine of the ten wickets to fall. Dahani claimed an impressive five-wicket haul, conceding 38 runs in his 10 overs, while Wasim bagged four wickets for 51 runs in his allotted quota.
Nepal found themselves in a precarious position at 72 for eight in 15.4 overs, but Sompal Kami and Pratis GC staged a resilient fightback. The duo added crucial partnerships, with GC contributing 26 runs and Kami leading the charge with an impressive 75 off 101 deliveries. Kami’s innings featured nine fours and two sixes, providing a much-needed boost to Nepal’s total. Eventually, Nepal were bowled out for 179.
In pursuit of 180 for victory, Pakistan Shaheens showcased a disciplined batting performance. Tayyab Tahir led the charge with a composed innings of 51 off 67 balls, which included six boundaries. Contributions from Omair Bin Yousuf (36) and Kamran Ghulam (31) further solidified the chase. Pakistan Shaheens successfully reached the target in the 33rd over, securing a comfortable four-wicket win.
Shahnawaz Dahani’s outstanding performance with the ball earned him the well-deserved title of Player of the Match. His bowling prowess proved to be a significant factor in dismantling Nepal’s batting lineup.
Pakistan Shaheens will now face UAE A in their next encounter on 17 July at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo. The team will aim to carry the momentum from this victory into their upcoming match and continue their successful campaign in the tournament.
Leave a Reply