Indian lads emerge Asian champions

Going into the final, India on the basis of their sterling performances and all win record, were the favourites. And they did not falter at the last hurdle. With a convincing 54-run victory over Pakistan, India emerged as champions in the Asian Cricket Council under-15 tournament in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

An Indian victory was always on the cards, especially after they had got the better of Pakistan by 33 runs in their league match. India, opting to bat first, were all out for 209 runs in 38.5 overs. After the early fall of Ashraf Ali (2), Ambati Rayudu and Sushil Kumar pieced together a second wicket partnership of 117 runs. The consistent Rayudu notched up the top score of 70 off 77 balls with ten hits to the ropes. Shortly afterwards, Sushil Kumar was out for 48, which was compiled off 62 balls and inclusive of seven fours. Palash Das, who took a century off the weak Hong Kong attack on Saturday, was this time restricted to 20 off 23 balls. The middle and late order did not add anything substantially and with Akbar Ali taking four for 44 off seven overs, Pakistan were able to keep the Indian total down to manageable proportions.

Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals and were never really in the hunt. With six wickets down for 62, the destination of the trophy was already decided and all that a seventh wicket partnership of 41 runs between skipper Kasheef Mahmood (26) and Mohd Azhar Ali (15) did was to delay the inevitable. In fact, extras with 31, contributed the most to the Pakistan total and stretched it to 155 for nine in 40 overs. Nikhil Rathod (2 for 10) and Navin Choudhury (2 for 24) troubled the Pakistan batsmen the most.

Not surprisingly, the Indian lads made a clean sweep of the awards. Ambati Rayudu was the man of the match and the man of the series, the best wicket keeper award was given to Abhinav Kumar, the best bowler award was presented to Mrigen Talukdar and Palash Jyoti Das who hit two centuries was adjudged best batsman.