Sports Bulletin Report
ABBOTTABAD: The 7th edition of the PBCC Blind Cricket T-20 Super League 2024 kicked off on Friday (June 7) at the APS School Cricket Ground in Abbottabad. The tournament features four provincial teams including Sindh, Punjab, KPK, and Balochistan showcasing the top blind cricket players from across Pakistan.
Sindh beat Punjab by 4 wickets: The opening match of the tournament was contested between Punjab and Sindh at the APS School Cricket Ground. Sindh won the toss and elected to bowl first. The Punjab team was bowled out for 158 runs in 17.5 overs. Both Babar Ali and Akmal Hayat were the top scorers, each making 23 runs. Mohammad Salman and Idrees Saleem each took 2 wickets for Sindh, while Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Safdar, Naeem Ullah, and Mohammad Ejaz claimed 1 wicket each.
In reply, Sindh chased down the target in a nail-biting finish, reaching 159 runs in 19.5 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Sanwal Shahzada played a crucial innings, scoring 35 runs off 23 balls. Ayoub Khan rescued Sindh with an unbeaten 29 runs off 18 balls, delivering superb strokeplay to secure the 4-wicket victory. Sindh required 13 runs in the last over, which Ayoub successfully achieved. Mohammad Safdar added 31 runs off 28 balls. For Punjab, Mati Ullah took 2 wickets and Sajid Nawaz claimed 1 wicket. Mohammad Safdar got the Man of the Match award.
Balochistan beat KPK by 26 runs: Following the exciting first match, the second clash featured KPK and Balochistan in a highly competitive encounter. KPK won the toss and opted to field first, putting Balochistan in to bat. Balochistan set a formidable total, amassing 247 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Haroon Khan dazzled with the bat, scoring a brilliant 75 runs off 44 balls. Shahzaib Haider provided strong support, remaining unbeaten with 50 runs off 31 balls. For KPK, Mohammad Asif managed to claim a wicket.
In their reply, KPK put up a valiant effort but fell short, scoring 221 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their 20 overs. Badar Munir was the standout performer for KPK, scoring 46 runs off 26 balls, while Mohammad Rashid contributed a swift 43 runs off 20 balls. Balochistan's Shahzaib Haider showcased his all-round skills by taking 3 crucial wickets. Mohammad Shahzeb and Mohammad Ayyaz also chipped in with a wicket each. Shahzaib Haider was the hero of the match.