KATHMANDU, May 19: Muhammad Latif smashed a swashbuckling unbeaten century in the final of the ongoing Wheelcahir T20 Asia Cup cricket tournament to help Pakistan beat India by five wickets and lift the trophy in a match played at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Latif registered a monumental individual score of 156 not out runs smashing 27 boundaries and five sixes during his 68-ball stay to complete the chase of 212 runs in 19.3 overs for the loss of five wickets. Pakistan was crowned champions of the first ever Wheelchair Asia Cup defeating its arch-rival India.

Latif dominated a partnership of 151 runs for the fifth wickets with Syed Arsalan Ahmed who contributed 15 runs off 17 deliveries. 

Similarly, Muhammad Fiaz contributed 15 runs during the chase. Both registered three boundaries each. 

The player of the final Latif rescued Pakistan from the tricky position of 55 runs for the loss of four wickets to the unprecedented victory. 

India’s Saurabh Malik had picked two wickets in the match supported by Parsuram Desale and Vishwanath Gaurav’s a wicket each.

Earlier, India won the toss and elected to bat first. Malik, who picked up two wickets as well, was the batsman in in-charge scoring an unbeaten 104 runs off 62 deliveries including 19 boundaries and a six. 

Number four batsman Nikul Pajapati remained unbeaten on 63 runs off 33 deliveries which included 12 boundaries. Both shared an unbeaten partnership of 117 runs for the third wicket. Gaurav, batting at number three contributed 23 runs off 17 deliveries. Pakistan’s Ahmed and Adnan Nisar shared a wicket each for the winning side. 

Latif received a cash prize of Rs 5,000 for winning the player of the tournament award. He scored most (210) runs. He was followed by teammate Sajid Ali Abbasi with 201 runs on second position. 
Nepal’s skipper Digam Chemjong finished on sixth position with 148 runs in three innings. Nepal was knocked out of the tournament finishing on bottom of the four-team group stage losing all its matches.

Similarly, India’s Malik finished on top of the wicket-taking list winning the best bowler award for his four wickets in three innings. 

Dambar Magar was Nepal’s most successful bowler of the tournament picking up two wickets. Both the individual winners won the cash prize of Rs 3,500. Likewise, India’s Laxman Birhade won the best fielder award who received Rs 3,000. 

The winner of the Asia Cup Pakistan received the cash prize of Rs 60,000 whereas the runner-up India bagged Rs 30,000.
 

 
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