The fifth edition of the ACC Emerging Cup was held in Sri Lanka from 13 to 23 July 2023. A total of eight Asian teams participated in the tournament where Pakistan A eventually became successive champions by thrashing India A in the final by 128 runs. Tayyab Tahir smashed a brilliant century of 108 runs from just 71 balls, to set up a mammoth target of 353 to chase for the men in blue but they fell short by 128 runs to hand men in green their 2nd title. In the manner the Indian strong & talented batting side failed to chase the target, people were quick to point out the similarities between ICC Champions Trophy Final 2017 & ACC Emerging Cup Final 2023.
This final gave fans very reminiscent memories from the final of the champions trophy 2017 with a lot of similarities in both tournaments. Here we have compiled a few things that were just as similar to that 2017 final.
Similarities Between ICC Champions Trophy Final 2017 & ACC Emerging Cup Final 2023
Semi Final Opponent
India A faced their neighbors Bangladesh A in the 2nd semi-final of ACC Emerging Cup 2023. The men in blue collapsed but went on to defend their small total of 211 runs & won the game by just 51 runs by bowling out the Bangladesh side on 160.
With a similar opponent in the semifinal of Champions Trophy 2017, India gunned down the target of 265 easily, with 9 wickets to spare.
Group Stage – Hammering
Pakistan A was thrashed by a talented Indian A side in the group stage with 8 wickets & 80 balls to spare. Batting first, the men in green never got into any sort of rhythm by losing 6 wickets for 95 runs. They went on to make a below-par score of 205 from 48 overs thanks to some lower-order contributions. The Indian side never had any problems chasing this total thanks to a century by Sai Sudharsan.
Similarly in the Champions Trophy Final 2017, India thrashed a young Pakistani side by 124 runs. India batted first & put a big score of 319/3 from 48 overs with Rohit Sharma top scoring with 91 runs. Pakistan’s side faltered in chasing and never got any partnership going, only to collapse to 164 all out in 33.4 overs.
Group Stage – Lefties MOTM Performance
In the group stage contest, Pakistan A gave a below-par target of 206 to the Indian side. The Indian opener Sai Sudharsan smashed an unbeaten century of 104 from 100 balls to give an easy victory to the men in blue.
Similarly in the Champions Trophy 2017 group stage, India posted a good total of 319 thanks to a quick-fire half-century from Yuvraj Singh who smashed Pakistani bowlers all over the park to score 53 runs from just 32 balls (8x4s & 1x6s)
Both Sudharsan & Yuvraj claimed the man of the match prize.
Also read: Is it a Perfect time for Muhammad Huraira’s Debut?
Toss
Having easily thwarted both Pakistan and Pakistan A in their respective Group Stage matches. There is no denying that India loves chasing. After winning the toss in both ACC Final & Champions Trophy Final, the captains Yash Dhul & Virat Kohli decided to field first and invited their arch-rivals Pakistan to bat first in a final.
4th Over – Right Pacer to Left Hander – Wicket – No Ball
A left-hander’s wicket caught behind? A NO BALL. Well, where have we seen this before? Surely not the Champions Trophy Final 2017 eh?
The left-handed Saim Ayub started the innings with clear aggressive intent, banging a six and a four in the very first over of Harshit Rana, as Pakistan raced to 30 inside three overs. In the next over Saim tried to flick the shot only to top edge it straight to the keeper. Only to realize that Hangargekar has overstepped to reprieve the opener. He went on to make valuable 59 runs from just 51 balls to make the opening stand of 121 runs with Sahibzada Farhan.
Similarly in the Champions Trophy Final 2017, Fakhar Zaman was caught behind on a no-ball that too in the 4th over by a right-arm pacer Jasprit Bumrah. He went on to punish the Indian side by scoring a match-winning 114 runs from 106 balls.
Well set opener – RUNOUT !!
Sahibzada Farhan was playing very beautiful cricket, as he raced to 65 runs from 62 balls (4x4s & 4x6s). He ran himself out when he dabbed the ball to the covers & slipped in the middle of the pitch after being turned down by Omair Yousaf. But his contributions had already laid the platform for the other batters to build upon.
Similarly, in Champions Trophy 2017, Azhar Ali batted well to make 59 runs from 71 balls (6x4s & 1x6s) but unfortunately, an error of judgment meant that he ran himself out when Pakistan was cruising at 128-0.
Super Centurions – MOTM
Pakistan had a brilliant start & the platform was set to cash in on the big score to be put on board. But a collapse of three wickets for four runs from 183-2 to 187-5 meant that they had to be super cautious now, they couldn’t afford to throw away the start they had. This is when the 29-year-old Tayyab Tahir stepped up. His sixth-wicket partnership with Mubasir Khan yielded 126 runs from just 97 balls. He smoked the Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground & went on to score a sensational 107 runs from 71 balls (12x4s & 4x6s).
Similarly in the Champions Trophy 2017, Fakhar Zaman etched his name in the history books to score his maiden hundred on the biggest of occasions against the arch-rivals. His fearless 114 runs from 106 balls (12x4s & 3x6s) completely baffled the Indians.
Both centurions claimed the Man of the Match trophies.
Century Opening Stands
After being put into bat, Saim Ayub & Sahibzada Farhan put up an opening stand of 121 runs to set the platform for others.
Similarly in Champions Trophy 2017, Azhar Ali & Fakhar Zaman put on a century stand of 128 runs to let others cash in.
Other Similarities:
- Only one fifty from the Indian chase in the finals. H. Pandya 76 & A. Sharma 61.
- In the Group stage Indo-Pak encounter, both captains remained not out in their innings. Kohli 81* & Yash Dhull 21*.
- Both Pakistani centurions, Fakhar & Tayyab hit 12 fours in their innings.
- In both finals, Pakistan had a left-hand & right-hand combo at the top. (Saim/Farhan & Azhar/Fakhar)
Let us know in the comments section if you’ve pointed out any similarities between ICC Champions Trophy Final 2017 & ACC Emerging Cup Final 2023.
