COLOMBO, Oct 5: Paceman Junaid Zia bowled Pakistan to an emphatic six-wicket win over Sri Lanka to clinch the Emerging Team Trophy here on Sunday.
Sri Lanka, who went into the final at the R. Premadasa Stadium as favourites after being undefeated in earlier matches, were bowled out for 105 runs in 35.5 overs after losing the toss and batting first.
Junaid was the most damaging of the Pakistani bowlers, snaring four wickets for 24 runs while seamers Yasir Ali, Mohammad Khalil and Yasir Arafat took two wickets each.
For Sri Lanka, only left-handed Thilina Kandamby made an impression with the bat, scoring 35 runs that included a four and a six.
In reply Pakistan lost just four wickets as they reached the target in 28 overs, with Babar Naeem scoring 33 runs in 70 balls and wicket-keeper Amin-ur-Rehman hitting 22.
Right-arm seamer Tharanga Lakshitha took three wickets for 33 runs in his nine overs for Sri Lanka.
The bowling from both teams was fairly erratic as they gave away 61 extras in a low-scoring match, including 43 wides.
But Junaid, who was impressive with the ball throughout the tri-nation series, was named Man-of-the-Match and Man-of-the-Series.
India also participated in the Emerging Trophy, which was open to young cricketers aspiring to win international caps and those who have played less than two Test matches and five One-day Internationals.
Scoreboard
SRI LANKA:
N.T. Paranavitana c Amin b Khalil 3
W.U. Tharanga c Qaiser b Yasir Ali 4
B.M.A.J. Mendis b Khalil 2
M.K. Gajanayake c Amin b Yasir Ali 1
S.H.T. Kandamby c Yasir Ali b Junaid 35
C.S. Fernando lbw b Yasir Arafat 6
M.F. Maharoof c Amin b Junaid 10
M. Pushpakumara lbw b Junaid 0
K.M.D.N. Kulasekera not out 10
A.B.T. Lakshita c Amin b Yasir Arafat 3
L.S. Malinga c and b Junaid 1
EXTRAS (LB-3, W-23, NB-4) 30
TOTAL (all out, 35.5 overs) 101
FALL OF WKTS: 1-19, 2-23, 3-24, 4-32, 5-45, 6-71, 7-77, 8-95, 9-102.
BOWLING: Yasir Ali 8-2-16-2 (1nb, 2w); Mohammad Khalil 6-0-25-2 (1nb, 9w); Yasir Arafat 7-1-18-2 (1nb, 1w); Junaid Zia 8.5-0-25-4 (1nb 4w); Qaiser Abbas 6-0-18-0 (1w).
PAKISTAN:
Usman Tariq c Fernando b Lakshita 5
Amin-ur-Rehman c Fernando b Malinga 15
Babar Naeem c Pushpakumara b Lakshita 41
Shahid Yousuf c Pushpakumara b Lakshita 4
Aamir Sajjad not out 14
Asim Munir not out 1
EXTRAS (B-1, LB-1, W-18, NB-7) 27
TOTAL (for four wkts, 28 overs) 107
FALL OF WKTS: 1-11, 2-51, 3-58, 4-102.
DID NOT BAT: Qaiser Abbas, Yasir Arafat, Junaid Zia, Mohammad Khalil, Yasir Ali.
BOWLING: Lakshita 9-1-33-3 (4nb, 3w); Kulasekera 5-0-23-0 (5w); Malinga 7-2-16-1 (2nb, 4w); Maharoof 4-0-17-0 (1nb, 4w); Pushpakumara 3-0-16-0.
RESULT: Pakistan won by six wickets.
UMPIRES: K.S.B. Murali and S.V. Ramani (both India).
MATCH REFEREE: R.S. Mahanama (Sri Lanka).
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Junaid Zia.
MAN-OF-THE-SERIES: Junaid Zia.—APP/AP