Cricket: Pakistan blind team clinches opening T20

Beat India by 71 runs to gain 1-0 lead in three-match series.

LAHORE: Pakistan blind cricket team beat India’s by a convincing margin of 71 runs to clinch the first T20 at the Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore and gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Pakistan, who were put into bat, set a mammoth 214-run target with Mohammad Jamil top-scoring with 89. Masood Jan contributed 46 as the pair added 106 for the second wicket. India captain Shekhar Naik claimed four wickets but none of the other bowlers got among the wickets.

In reply, India were restricted to 142 for nine with Parakash making the highest score of 75 for the touring team. Jamil followed up his brilliant knock with a couple of wickets to be named man of the match.

“I’m very pleased with my performance,” Jamil said after the match. “I’ll try to continue my form and hopefully we’ll win the series in the next match.”

The second T20 will be played today at the same venue.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th,  2011.