LAHORE: In a major feat, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Team on Sunday inflicted a humiliating 10-wicket defeat on Nepal to reach the final of the T20 Blind World Cup 2024 at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a modest target of 95 runs, the home team comfortably hit the winning runs in just 5.3 overs without losing a wicket.
Opening batsman Kamran Akhtar came out all guns blazing in the run chase as he smashed 13 boundaries including six en route to an unbeaten 63 off 21 deliveries. He was supported by fellow opener Babar Ali, who made a quick 32 off 14 balls.
Batting first, Nepal could only manage 94/7 in the allotted 20 overs despite Durgadatta Paudel’s bold knock.
The middle-order batsman batted lone battle for Nepal with a cautious 40 off 42 balls and remained top scorer, followed by Ramesh Banniyan, who scored an unbeaten 17 off 30 deliveries.
The rest of the Nepalese batsmen struggled against the relentless Pakistani bowling attack as none of them could muster double figures.
Mati Ullah was Pakistan’s outstanding bowler, registering economical bowling figures of 3/5 in four overs, while Badar Munir scored with one scalp.
The Green Shirts will face either Sri Lanka or Bangladesh in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played at the same venue on Tuesday.
Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup 2024
Class B1: Zafar Iqbal, Muhammad Idris Saleem, Muhammad Shahzeb, Fakhar Abbas, Muhammad Asif, and Muhammad Salman.
Class B2: Nisar Ali (C), Badr Munir (VC), Babar Ali, Nimatullah, and Haroon Khan
Class B3: Muhammad Safdar, Kamran Akhtar, Akmal Hayat Nasir, Talha Iqbal, and Matiullah