Dahani leads Shaheens to four-wicket win

COLOMBO: Shahnawaz Dahani’s five-wicket haul led defending champions Pakistan Shaheens to a four-wicket win over Nepal in their first match of the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2023 at the Colombo Cricket Ground on Friday.

After opting to bat first, Nepal were bundled out for 179 in 37 overs. Right-arm pacers Dahani and Mohammad Wasim Junior headlined the stellar bowling display as they scalped nine of the 10 wickets to fall. Dahani took five wickets for 38 runs from 10 overs, while Wasim had figures of 4-51.

Earlier, Nepal were reeling at 72-8 in 15.4 overs before Sompal Kami and GC Pratis (26) got together and added 58 runs for the ninth wicket. Kami was the last batter to return to the hut after scoring 75 off 101 balls. He hit nine fours and two sixes.

Chasing 180 to win, Tayyab Tahir’s 51 off 67 balls which included six fours led Shaheens to victory inside 33 overs. Omair Bin Yousuf (36, 40b, 4x4s) and Kamran Ghulam (31, 26b, 1×4, 2x6s) were the other contributors with the bat.

Shaheens will now face UAE A on July 17 at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo.

Scores in brief: Nepal 179 all out, 37 overs (Sompal Kami 75, Pratish 26; Shahnawaz Dahani 5-38, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 4-51). Pakistan Shaheens 181-6, 32.5 overs (Tayyab Tahir 51, Omair Bin Yousuf 36, Kamran Ghulam 31; Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi 3-50).

Result: Pakistan Shaheens beat Nepal by four wickets.

Player of the match: Shahnawaz Dahani (Pakistan Shaheens)