da stake casino： Going into the final, India on the basis of their sterlingperformances and all win record, were the favourites
Partab Ramchand09-Jul-2000Going into the final, India on the basis of their sterlingperformances and all win record, were the favourites. And theydid not falter at the last hurdle. With a convincing 54-runvictory over Pakistan, India emerged as champions in the AsianCricket Council under-15 tournament in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.An Indian victory was always on the cards, especially after theyhad got the better of Pakistan by 33 runs in their league match.India, opting to bat first, were all out for 209 runs in 38.5overs. After the early fall of Ashraf Ali (2), Ambati Rayuduand Sushil Kumar pieced together a second wicket partnership of117 runs. The consistent Rayudu notched up the top score of 70off 77 balls with ten hits to the ropes. Shortly afterwards,Sushil Kumar was out for 48, which was compiled off 62 ballsand inclusive of seven fours. Palash Das, who took a century offthe weak Hong Kong attack on Saturday, was this time restrictedto 20 off 23 balls. The middle and late order did not add anythingsubstantially and with Akbar Ali taking four for 44 off sevenovers, Pakistan were able to keep the Indian total down tomanageable proportions.Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals and were never reallyin the hunt. With six wickets down for 62, the destination ofthe 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. Infact, extras with 31, contributed the most to the Pakistan totaland stretched it to 155 for nine in 40 overs. Nikhil Rathod(2 for 10) and Navin Choudhury (2 for 24) troubled the Pakistanbatsmen the most.Not surprisingly, the Indian lads made a clean sweep of theawards. Ambati Rayudu was the man of the match and the man ofthe series, the best wicket keeper award was given to AbhinavKumar, the best bowler award was presented to Mrigen Talukdarand Palash Jyoti Das who hit two centuries was adjudgedbest batsman.