Okara beat hosts Bahawalpur by 8 wickets to become champion

Sports Bulletin Report

BAHAWALPUR: Okara outclassed hosts Bahawalpur by 8 wickets in the final of the 13th National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) T-20 Blind Cricket Trophy 2022 (Grade-1) at Dring stadium here on Saturday.

Okara won the toss and put Bahawalpur into bat. Bahawalpur lost the devastating opener Mohammad Rashid early, as he could score only 1 run. Mohammad Zafar also fell without opening his account. Moeen Aslam tried to rescue Bahawalpur but he also got out after scoring 30 runs.

Mohammad Ejaz’s 36 runs and Mohammad Shahzaib’s innings of 32 runs helped Bahawalpur to reach a respectable total. Hosts were bowled out after posting 183 runs on the board in 19.4 overs. Badar Munir and Neematullah took 2 wickets each.

In reply, Okara played exceptionally well and chased the target of 184 runs in just 17.3 overs for the loss of 2 wickets. Badar Munir again played a superb innings of unbeaten 99 runs off 52 balls featuring 13 (4’s) and 1 huge six whereas Neematullah chipped in with 56 runs. Usman was the only bowler from Bahawalpur to claim a wicket. Badar Munir got man of the match award.

Sajid Iqbal (Business Head NBP Bahawalpur Region), Syed Sultan Shah (President World Blind Cricket Ltd & Chairman Pakistan Blind Cricket Council), Maqsood ul Hassan Divisional Officer Sports Bahawalpur, Syed Salman Bokhari (Director Cricket Operations (PBCC), Anwar Ali (Director Finance PBCC) were the guests of the occasion and distributed the prizes amongst the players.

Players of the Tournament Awards:

B1: Mohammad Asif (Peshawar)

B2: Badar Munir (Okara)

B3: Mohammad Akram (Gujranwala)

Best Wicket Keeper: Moeen Aslam (Bahawalpur)