Disabled cricket: Pakistan suffer their first defeat of the five-nation tournament

England beat side by eight runs as arch-rivals India await on Monday.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Disabled Cricket Team lost to England Disability Cricket Team by eight runs in their third T20 match of the Five-nation ICRC International T20 Cricket Tournament at the BKSP Cricket Stadium in Savar, Dhaka on Sunday.

England won the toss and decided to bat first, posting a formidable total of 156 for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 over as Alex Hammond scored 55 off 47 balls, hitting six fours and a six.

Hammond’s sensible knock was perhaps eclipsed by the hard-hitting Callum Flynn, who made 42 off just 26 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.

Chasing 157, Pakistan were restricted to 148-9. Rehan Ghani Mirza top-scored with an impressive 54 off 40 balls, hitting six fours and a six. Jahanzaib Taiwana’s 13-ball cameo yielded 22 runs with one four and two huge sixes, one of which broke the glass of the commentary box, but Pakistan fell short as England’s bowlers shared the wickets among themselves. Flynn, Alex Hammond and Fred bridges all took two wickets each, giving away 15, 30 and 28 runs respectively.

Pakistan and England now both have four points from three matches with two wins and a loss apiece. The men in green now face arch-rivals India on Monday.

Pakistan skipper Hasnain Alam said his side is prepared to face India, while also praising England for their batting effort. “England are tough opponents,” he said. “They posted a good total, which helped their bowlers but in the end we only lost by a close margin.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th,  2015.

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