Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Pakistan's blind cricket team beat Bangladesh by 8 wickets in the Blind Cricket T20 World Cup 2024 at Bagh-e-Jinnah Ground, Lahore on Tuesday.
This marks Pakistan's second consecutive win in the tournament, further solidifying their strong start. Bangladesh, electing to bat first after winning the toss, posted a total of 145 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Mohammad Salman was the standout performer for Bangladesh, scoring 43 off 31 balls, supported by Tarif Rehan’s 30 runs off 32 deliveries. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling restricted the Bangladeshi side from achieving a bigger total.
In reply, Pakistan's batters delivered a clinical performance, chasing down the target in just 12.4 overs. Mohammad Safdar laid a solid foundation with 41 runs off 29 balls, while Niamatullah contributed 34 runs off an equal number of deliveries. However, it was Badar Munir’s explosive unbeaten 28 off 9 balls that sealed the victory in style for Pakistan.
The match featured Provincial Secretary Sports Punjab Muzaffar Khan Sial and Chairman Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBC) Syed Sultan Shah as special guests. During the post-match ceremony, Mohammad Salman was named emerging player of the match for his spirited batting, while Pakistan’s Badar Munir was awarded player of the match for his match-winning performance.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Afghanistan received a walkover against India in their scheduled match for November 26. At the Ghani Institute Cricket Ground, Nepal edged out South Africa in a nail-biting contest, winning by 11 runs. Nepal posted 198 for 4 in their 20 overs, courtesy of Naresh Chaudhary’s commanding 80 off 57 balls and Sagar Lama’s brisk 40 off 29. South Africa’s Buhle Bhidla scored an unbeaten century (100 off 71 balls), but their total of 187 for 2 fell short.
On Wednesday (November 27, 2024), South Africa will vie against Sri Lanka at 9:00 am at Ghani Institute Ground while Pakistan will compete against Nepal at 1:00 pm at Ghani Institute Ground and Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan at 10:00 am at Bagh-e-Jinnah Ground.
