India win Blind Cricket World Cup
SHARJAH: Before Saturday, India could never defend a world cricket title. On a sunny afternoon at the Sharjah Cricket Ground that elusive feat was achieved. Though the stars of the occassion could not clearly see the celebrations around, they did savour it with broad smiles.
The names of Ganeshbhai Muhundkar, Sunil Ramesh, Ajai Kumar Reddy doesn’t quite ring a bell in the ears of Indian cricket fans, yet they were the nation’s champions on Saturday.
In the Blind Cricket World Cup final, they starred as India defeated Pakistan to successfully defend their title.
Chasing 309 in 40 overs, India reached the target in 39 overs as a small group of Indian fans present ran onto the field to share the joy with the world champions.
The two-wicket victory ensured that India retain the title. India are also the T20 world champions in blind cricket.
Though the margin of win may suggest otherwise, the final was not devoid of drama. India won the toss and asked Pakistan to bat first.
The start was good for the Men in gren shirts as they maintained a steady run-rate to reach 66 in 11 overs. It was in the 12th over that India got the first breakthrough as Mosin Khan (31) was caught by Sunil of Deepak Malik.
It was the brilliance of Sunil again which got Indian their second wicket as he ran out Amir (10) in the 15th over.
Pakistan’s Badar Munir decided to up the ante after their two blows as he reached 50-run mark. But in the 20th over, he fell at 57.
The Indians were brilliant on the field and got the fourth wicket through a run out.