ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Shaheens beat Oman by 74 runs to register their first win in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Cup in Muscat this week, preventing the Gulf country from chasing an impressive 186-run target from 20 overs, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said. 

The ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup brings together some of the best cricketers from Asia featuring eight teams divided into two groups that compete in a Twenty20 format. The 2024 edition of the tournament is currently underway, with matches being played from October 18 to 27.

The emerging teams tournament is a platform for emerging players to showcase their skills and impress the selectors to secure a spot for themselves in their country’s national cricket team. 

“Pakistan Shaheens beat Oman by 74 runs to register their first win of the tournament in the seventh match of the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup on Monday afternoon at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground in Muscat, Oman,” the PCB said in a press release on Monday. 

Pakistan Shaheens won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring 185-5 in 20 overs. Oman were restricted to 111-7 at the end of their 20 overs. Pakistan’s Qasim Akram was the top scorer in the match but remained short of a half-century, scoring 48 runs. He managed a 72-run third-wicket partnership with Omair Yousaf while Rohail Nazir and Arafat Minhas remained not out on 41 and 31, respectively. 

Nazir, playing his first match of the tournament, scored a quickfire 41 runs off 20 balls, developing a strong 69-run unbeaten partnership with Minhas to help Shaheens reach 185 runs. 

Oman’s Aamir Kaleem was the first batsman to be dismissed after scoring 11 runs while skipper Jatinder Singh made 24 runs. Oman’s top scorer was Wasim Ali who put 28 runs on the scoreboard. Shaheens’ Muzahir Raza picked up two wickets whereas Minhas, Mohammad Imran, Akram, Shahnawaz Dahani and Sufiyan Moqim picked up one wicket each. 

Nazir was awarded the man of the match award for his unbeaten 41-run knock. Pakistan Shaheens will face the United Arab Emirates in the third match on Wednesday, Oct. 23.