Pakistan made a winning start to the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) World Blind Games by defeating India by 18 runs in Birmingham on Sunday.
After winning the toss at the King Edwards School Ground, Pakistan’s visually impaired team was invited to bat first by the India VI team.
The Green Shirts scored 187 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Mohammad Salman scored 50 runs off 31 balls, captain Nisar Ali scored 46 runs off 33 balls and Badar Munir scored 37 runs off 24 balls.
Ajay Kumar Reddy took four wickets for India’s blind side while three fell to Pakistani batsman Nakula Badanayak.
In reply, the Indian team was restricted to 169 runs for seven wickets in 20 overs. At one stage they needed 38 runs in the last three overs but Matiullah bowled a brilliant 18th over in which he conceded just four runs.
India lost three wickets, including one run out, falling from 150 for three to 154 for six. India VI’s Sunil Ramesh scored 62 runs while Durga Rao Tompki scored 40 runs to his name.
Matiullah of Pakistan VI took two wickets. Five Indian batsmen were run out. Pakistan will play their next match against Bangladesh on Tuesday.
