India edge out Pakistan to retain title

Sharjah, January 20 

Sunil Ramesh slammed a superb 93 as India defeated archrivals Pakistan by two wickets in a thrilling summit clash to retain the Blind Cricket World Cup title here today. 

Batting first, Pakistan amassed 307/8 in 40 overs, courtesy some useful contributions by Badar Munir (57), Risayat Khan (48) and captain Nisar Ali (47). For India, Deepak Malik and Rambir took two wickets each, while Sunil Ramesh got one.

Ramesh then blasted 93 runs off 67 balls and skipper Ajay Reddy scored 62 off 60 balls as India overhauled the target with an over to spare. India retained the title they had won in 2014 after beating the same opponents at Cape Town.

Chasing the target, Prakash and Venkatesh gave India a flying start. Venkatesh scored 35 in 32 balls, while Prakash scored 44 in 42 balls.

India struggled in the final stages of their run chase as Pakistan claimed three quick wickets to gain an upper hand. However, a wide delivery rolled on to the boundary and the pendulum swung back in India’s favour.

India had beaten Pakistan in the group stage as well. The defending champions had beaten Bangladesh by seven wickets in the semifinal.

Accolades poured in for the Indian team with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulating the team for its achievement.

“Congratulations to our cricket team for winning the 2018 Blind Cricket World Cup! They make the nation proud and inspire every Indian with their game as well as phenomenal attitude. True champions!” Modi wrote on his Twitter handle.

Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also heaped praise on the team.

“What a win by #TeamIndia. Congratulations on winning #BlindCricketWorldCup,” he wrote on Twitter.

Former batsman VVS Laxman wrote: “Congratulations to each and every member of the Indian team for winning the #BlindCricketWorldCup.” — PTI