Blind Cricket World Cup Match: new champions declared

Have you heard of the cricket team played by the blind? No? Did you they have matches just like that of the regular cricket team?

The Blind Cricket World Cup final between India and Pakistan was fought as fiercely as the usual India-Pakistan One-day International cricket matches on Saturday.

 Sunil Ramesh rose to the occasion as he played a great knock of 93 to help India retain Blind Cricket World Cup title after beating arch-rivals Pakistan by two wickets in a thrilling final played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE on Saturday.

Chasing a huge 308-run target in 40 overs, India romped home in the penultimate over of the match. India started off their chase in a cracking manner racing to 111/1 after 15 overs but soon lost two quick wickets in the form of run-outs to be at 116/3 after 16th over.

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Sunil and skipper Ajay Tiwari, who scored a fine 62, then took the responsibility and took India’s total to 190/3 after 25 overs. India, who lost Ramesh, were 271/4 after 35 overs. Ramesh was cleaned up by Amir Ishfaq.

India stuttered towards the closing stages of the game after they lost Ajay followed by two hasty dismissals but in the end held their nerves to win the final.

Earlier, riding on Badar Munir’s fine half-century, Pakistan scored 307/8 to give India big target in the final of the fifth edition of the tournament.

Riyasat Khan and skipper Nisar Ali also played solid knocks of 48 and 47 respectively to take Pakistan total past 300 after they were put into bat by India. Pakistan reached 200-run mark in 27 overs after losing five wickets.

India, who are the defending champions, defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in their group match on January 13.

Pakistan made it to the final after defeating Sri Lanka by 156 runs while India beat Bangladesh by seven wickets to book their place in the final. India, who are favourites to retain the title, have remained unbeaten in this tournament.

The Pakistan Blind Cricket Council has invited ICC CEO David Richardson, former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas and former Indian wicket keeper Syed Kirmani to witness the final.