Pakistan dominated from start to finish as they thumped India by 128 runs in the final of the ACC Men’s Emerging Cup 2023 in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Having set a massive 353-run target for India to chase, Pakistan bowlers bowled shrewdly and with balance.

Sufiyan Muqeem claimed three wickets while a bunch of others picked two a piece.

Earlier, Tayyab Tahir was the star of the show as Pakistan posted 352-8.

After being invited to bat first, Pakistan openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan formed a solid 121-run stand for the opening wicket before the former departed for 59.

One-down batter Omair Yousuf contributed a run-a-ball 35 before Farhan vanished for 65. This is when Tahir walked in and began to run Indian bowlers ragged.

He took just 71 balls for his 109 laced with 12 fours and four maximums as Pakistan finished with a gargantuan total of 352-8 at the end of their allotted 50 overs.

Almost all the Indian bowlers were expensive on the day, with only Nishant Sindhu (9-48-1) conceding under six runs an over.

Harshit Rana (6-51-1) and Manav Suthar (9-68-1) caught the worst of beatings on what was an unforgettable day overall for the Indian ball hurlers.

‘Passionate and resolute’

Hailing the victory, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said it showed “how passionate and resolute our youths are”.

“I am determined more than ever before to prioritise the promotion of sports through maximum facilitation,” he asserted.

“Thrilled. Brilliant and clinical,” tweeted President Dr Arif Alvi.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he was looking forward to more feats from Pakistan’s sportsmen after today’s cricket and squash wins.

The PTI also congratulated the team on their win.