Raza steers Pakistan to victory

Abu Dhabi, May 6 :

A century from Hasan Raza was the anchor for Pakistan A’s 36-run victory over India A in the final of the EurAsia Series here on Friday.

Batting first, Pakistan accumulated 288/4 off 50 overs and packed India to 252.

Raza’s unbeaten 106, made off 112 balls, came at a time the innings had lost some momentum after the loss of two wickets in quick succession reduced them to 88 for 3.

Raza found support in Misbah-ul-Haq who made 73 off 94. The pair, who came together at the end of 15th over, added 174 runs for the fourth-wicket which was only broken with Misbah’s run out in the penultimate over of the innings.

India started badly, losing openers six balls after they had laboured to 42 in the 11th over, but Venugopal Rao (69) and Reetinder Sodhi (70) put them back on course with a stand of 147 in 29 overs. The decisive moment came when Mansoor Amjad dismissed them both within four balls, and with an asking rate of 10-an-over and no set batsman at the crease, India folded, losing their last six wickets for 40 in six overs.