LAHORE: Pakistan’s blind cricket team reached the final of the Blind T20 World Cup 2024 after a resounding 10-wicket victory over Nepal in the first semi-final here at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a modest target of 95 runs, the home team comfortably knocked out the winning runs in just 5.3 overs without losing a wicket.
Opening batsman Kamran Akhtar came out all guns blazing in the chase as he smashed 13 boundaries, including a six on his way to an unbeaten 63 off 21 deliveries. He was supported by fellow opener Babar Ali, who made 32 off 14 balls.
Batting first, Nepal could only manage 94/7 in the allotted 20 overs despite Durgadatta Paudel’s gutsy knock.
The middle-order batsman fought a lone battle for Nepal with a cautious 40 off 42 balls and remained the top scorer, followed by Ramesh Baniyan who scored an unbeaten 17 off 30 deliveries.
The rest of Nepal’s batsmen struggled against Pakistan’s relentless bowling attack as none of them managed to accumulate double figures.
Mati Ullah was Pakistan’s standout bowler, recording economy figures of 3/5 in his four overs, while Badar Munir struck with a scalp.
The Green Shirts will face either Sri Lanka or Bangladesh in the 2024 Blind T20 World Cup final, scheduled for Tuesday at the same venue.
Pakistan squad for 2024 Blind T20 World Cup
Category B1: Zafar Iqbal, Muhammad Idrees Saleem, Muhammad Shahzaib, Fakhar Abbas, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Salman
Category B2: Nisar Ali (c), Badar Munir (vc), Babar Ali, Nematullah and Haroon Khan
Category B3: Muhammad Safdar, Kamran Akhtar, Akmal Hayat Nasir, Talha Iqbal and Matiullah
