Pakistan's win

Good news from the sports field! Pakistan have trounced Bangladesh in the final of the fourth T20 Blind Cricket World Cup, snatching the crown from archrival India whose players skipped the tournament in compliance with the Indian government's decision not to travel to Pakistan, the host country.

The final fight, at the Multan Cricket Stadium yesterday, saw Pakistan reach Bangladesh's 140-run target in just the 11th over without losing a wicket.

Pakistan blind team is already a force to reckon with in the world of blind cricket, having won the 40-over Blind World Cup twice - in 2002 and 2006 - in the five competitions held so far.

However, this is the first time that Pakistan have clinched the T20 Blind Cricket World Cup title. Pakistan's historic victory coincided with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, proving that the differently-abled persons have the ability, skill and aptitude to act and perform like normal beings; and that they can participate and excel in any sphere of activity - be it sports which requires a significant amount of physical strength, alongside mental muscle.

Congratulations pour in on Pakistan's historic victory. But that should not be it. The impressive performance must be acknowledged in the form of reasonable rewards to encourage the players to do better and better and be role models not just for those with physical handicaps but also sportsmen and people in general.

Pakistan's fabulous feat also provides a fitting opportunity for the government's sports authorities to take a stock of the existing sports infrastructure in the country, particularly for the athletes with disabilities, and fill in the vacuum with better training and coaching facilities as well as remunerations.