Disabled cricket: Matloob single-handedly wins match for Pakistan

Left-hander scores half-century as hosts win by 17 runs to take series 3-0

KARACHI: Left-hander Matloob Ahmed, who does not have a right hand, scored an impressive half-century as Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 17 runs in their third T20 International Disability Cricket Series match to complete a 3-0 clean sweep at the National Stadium of Karachi.

Pakistan opted to bat first and made 164-5 in their 20 overs. Matloob, who lost his right hand as a child in a road accident, starred with a 51-run knock that included seven boundaries, five of which came in a single over

Jahanzaib Tiwana chipped in with a 44-run cameo that was studded with one maximum and six fours, while Arif Richard scored 31.

For the visitors, off-spinner Abdullah grabbed three wickets for 26 runs while medium-pacer Nabiullah Nabi took 2-25.

In reply, Afghanistan went off to a solid start as openers Muhammad Ashraf and Ubaidullah provided a fighting 85-run opening-stand but their teammates could not carry on the good work.

Afghanistan were restricted to 147-7 in 20 overs as Ashraf scored 79 runs off 58 with the help of eight boundaries and two sixes.

Left-arm spinner Ameer Ahmed bowled superbly to take three wickets, while Fayyaz bagged a couple.

Parliamentary Leader Sindh Assembly MPA Khawaja Izharur Hasan was the chief guest on the occasion. A two-match one-day series will be played now, starting from February 26.

 

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