It’s time for the ultimate cricket clash between the two arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, in the final of the Emerging Asia Cup 2023. The tournament, which features the best young talent from eight Asian countries, has reached its climax with the two most successful teams in the history of the competition.
India and Pakistan have both won the Emerging Asia Cup twice before, in 2013 and 2017 for India, and in 2015 and 2019 for Pakistan. They have also faced each other in three finals, with India winning two and Pakistan winning one. The last time they met in the final was in 2017, when India thrashed Pakistan by 144 runs.
This time, however, both teams have shown some impressive performances and have some exciting players to watch out for. Here’s a preview of what to expect from the final match of the Emerging Asia Cup 2023.
The Road to the Final
India A topped their group with three wins out of three, beating Nepal, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. They scored over 300 runs in each of their matches, with their batsmen showing great form and consistency. In the semi-final, they faced Bangladesh A, who had finished second in their group. India A posted a massive total of 347/6, thanks to a brilliant century by Sai Sudharsan (118) and a quick-fire 78 by Abhishek Sharma. Bangladesh A could only manage 296/9 in reply, despite a fighting knock of 102 by Towhid Hridoy. India A won by 51 runs and booked their place in the final.
Pakistan A had a mixed run in their group stage, winning two matches and losing one. They beat Nepal by seven wickets and Afghanistan by six wickets, but lost to India A by eight wickets. Their bowlers did well to restrict their opponents, but their batsmen struggled to cope with the Indian spinners. In the semi-final, they faced Sri Lanka A, who had topped their group with three wins out of three. Pakistan A put up a competitive total of 267/7, with Omair Yousuf (66) and Tayyab Tahir (63) scoring half-centuries. Sri Lanka A were bowled out for 207 in 46.4 overs, with Mohammad Wasim Jr taking four wickets and Arshad Iqbal taking three. Pakistan A won by 60 runs and advanced to the final.
The Key Players
Both teams have some talented and promising players who can make a difference in the final. Here are some of the key players to watch out for from both sides.
India A
- Sai Sudharsan: The left-handed opener has been the star batsman for India A in this tournament, scoring 295 runs in four matches at an average of 73.75 and a strike rate of 105.38. He has scored one century and two fifties, including a match-winning knock of 118 against Bangladesh A in the semi-final. He has also taken four wickets with his off-spin.
- Abhishek Sharma: The all-rounder has been a valuable asset for India A with both bat and ball. He has scored 189 runs in four matches at an average of 63 and a strike rate of 140.44. He has also taken six wickets with his left-arm spin at an economy rate of 4.88.
- RS Hangargekar: The right-arm fast bowler has been the leading wicket-taker for India A in this tournament, taking nine wickets in four matches at an average of 17.22 and an economy rate of 5.43. He has taken at least two wickets in each match, including a three-wicket haul against Pakistan A in the group stage.
Pakistan A
- Omair Yousuf: The right-handed opener has been the most consistent batsman for Pakistan A in this tournament, scoring 212 runs in four matches at an average of 53 and a strike rate of 85.54. He has scored two fifties, including a crucial knock of 66 against Sri Lanka A in the semi-final.
- Mohammad Wasim Jr: The all-rounder has been a match-winner for Pakistan A with both bat and ball. He has scored 113 runs in four matches at an average of 37.66 and a strike rate of 120.21. He has also taken eight wickets with his right-arm medium pace at an average of 18.62 and an economy rate of 5.31.
- Arshad Iqbal: The right-arm fast bowler has been the most lethal bowler for Pakistan A in this tournament, taking seven wickets in four matches at an average of 16.57 and an economy rate of 4.13. He has taken three wickets in each of the last two matches, including a spell of 3/29 against Sri Lanka A in the semi-final.
The Final Verdict
The final of the Emerging Asia Cup 2023 promises to be a thrilling contest between two evenly matched teams. Both teams have strong batting and bowling units, and have some players who can change the game with their individual brilliance. However, India A have a slight edge over Pakistan A, based on their recent form and their head-to-head record. India A have won four out of the last five matches against Pakistan A in this tournament, including an eight-wicket win in the group stage. India A also have more depth and balance in their squad, and have more experience of playing in pressure situations.
Therefore, we predict that India A will win the final of the Emerging Asia Cup 2023 and lift the trophy for the third time. However, Pakistan A will not give up easily and will put up a tough fight till the end. It will be a close and exciting match that will keep the fans on the edge of their seats.
What do you think? Who will win the final of the Emerging Asia Cup 2023? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. And don’t forget to watch the live stream of the match on Asian Cricket Council TV on YouTube. The match will start at 1:30 pm (Pakistan Standard Time) on Sunday, 23 July 2023. Don’t miss it!