In a nail-biting encounter at the IBSA World Blind Games hosted in Birmingham on Sunday, Pakistan showcased their dominance by securing a hard-fought victory against arch-rivals India. The enthralling match, held at the prestigious King Edward’s School ground, saw Pakistan emerge triumphant with an 18-run lead.
The excitement was palpable from the start as the Indian VI team won the coin toss and elected to put Pakistan’s visually-impaired team to the test by choosing to field first. This decision set the stage for a captivating battle on the cricket pitch. Donning their iconic Green Shirts, Pakistan’s visually-impaired squad demonstrated remarkable skill and determination, amassing a commendable total of 187 runs while losing eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
The standout performers for Pakistan included Muhammad Salman, who played a pivotal role with a formidable 50 runs off 31 deliveries. Captain Nisar Ali exhibited exceptional leadership and contributed 46 runs from 33 balls, while Badar Munir showcased his prowess by adding 37 runs from 24 balls to the scoreboard.
India’s Ajay Kumar Reddy emerged as a formidable force, securing four wickets, and Nakula Badanayak’s effort fetched him three vital Pakistani wickets, making it a challenging chase for the Pakistani team.
In response, India’s innings saw them striving to reach the set target, but they were contained to a total of 169 runs for the loss of seven wickets within their 20 overs. The game reached a critical juncture when India required 38 runs from the final three overs. However, an exceptional 18th over bowled by Matiullah turned the tide in Pakistan’s favor, conceding a mere four runs and intensifying the pressure on India.
India’s performance took a hit as they stumbled, losing three crucial wickets, including a pivotal run-out. Their score dwindled from a promising 150 for three wickets to a challenging 154 for six wickets. Sunil Ramesh emerged as a standout performer for India’s VI team, amassing an impressive 62 runs, closely supported by Durga Rao Tompaki, who contributed 40 runs to the chase.
Pakistan’s Matiullah showcased his all-round talent by securing two crucial wickets, while India’s struggle compounded by five of their batsmen run out, further solidified Pakistan’s hold on the game.
Looking ahead, Pakistan’s visually-impaired team poised for a high-stakes encounter against Bangladesh on Tuesday. As the IBSA World Blind Games continue to unfold, cricket enthusiasts around the globe eagerly await the next chapter in this thrilling tournament.
