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Pakistan make history to claim world event

Defeat England in Physically Disabled T20 tournament’s final

Our Correspondent October 25, 2016

Pakistan overcame their disability, a lack of facilities and England to make their country proud. PHOTO COURTESY: PDCA

KARACHI: Both the current and former captains of the Pakistan Disabled team were on song as they clinched the first-ever ICC Academy Physically Disabled T20 cricket tournament with a three-wicket win over England in the final at the Dubai Sports City Stadium yesterday.

In the title decider, England batted first and posted 137-5 in their 20 overs as Jamie Goodwin (40 off 31 balls) and Gordan Laidlaw (34 off 40 balls) impressed.

Disabled cricket: Alam heroics guide Pakistan to 35-run win

For Pakistan, Nihar Alam took two wickets for 22 runs in his four overs, while Jahanzaib Tiwana and Abdullah Ejaz claimed a scalp each.

In reply, Pakistan reached the 138-run target with four balls and three wickets to spare as former captain Hasnain Alam, who was later declared the man of the match, struck 39 runs off 32 balls laced with three fours and a six.

He was well-supported by incumbent skipper Tiwana, who contributed 19 runs off 27 balls to his team’s winning cause.

In the final part of their innings, Pakistan required 17 runs with just three wickets in hand when Zubair Saleem (12) and Ejaz (nine), both not out, got their side home.

England’s Dan Reynaldo took two wickets, with Callum Flynn, Dan Hamm, Jordan Williams and Fed Bridges all dismissing a batsman each.

Captain Tiwana pointed towards his team’s ability to recover from setbacks and credited the Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association (PDCA) and their coach for the success.

Disabled cricket: Pakistan fall 21 runs short

“After losing the first match against England, we studied their strategies and then defeated them in the next two matches, thanks to our head coach Sabih Azhar,” Tiwana told The Express Tribune. “We had practiced hard for the tournament and it has all paid off. We all are glad that the PDCA gave us this chance to represent and win for our country.”

In return, head coach Azhar heaped praise on his charges, saying: “They have played like able-bodied players. Fielding, batting and bowling — they have done well in all areas. This is a proud moment for us, them and the country.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2016.

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