Haryana lift 4th Blind T-20 Cricket Trophy, Punjab finish runner-up

The 4th Blind T-20 Cricket Tournament, organised by the Disabled Persons Welfare Society, Hoshiarpur, concluded with an inspiring display of skill and determination as Haryana lifted the championship trophy, defeating Punjab by seven wickets in the grand finale.

The three-day event, held at the Hoshiarpur District Cricket Association Ground, Railway Mandi, featured teams from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Led by Sandeep Sharma, President of the Disabled Persons Welfare Society, and General Secretary Raj Kumar, the tournament aimed to promote sportsmanship, inclusion, and empowerment among visually impaired athletes. “These players prove that ability is greater than disability,” Sandeep remarked.

In the opening match, Punjab defeated Uttarakhand. Punjab scored 162 for 6, with Jatinder Kumar contributing 47 runs off 27 balls. Uttarakhand were bowled out for 92 runs, giving Punjab a commanding win.

In the final, Haryana won the toss and opted to bowl. Punjab posted an impressive 195 for 4 in 20 overs, powered by opener Jatinder Kumar’s 75 off 65 balls and Mathura’s 33 off 45 balls. Despite a strong start, Haryana’s disciplined bowling prevented Punjab from crossing the 200-run mark.

Chasing 196, Haryana displayed remarkable coordination and confidence. Their top order ensured a steady chase, and the target was reached with four wickets down. The player wearing jersey number 73 was named Man of the Match for his unbeaten 73 off 65 balls, while Pritam Singh (45) and Jitan (37) made valuable contributions.

Mathura Yadav received special recognition for consistent performance, while Punjab’s Jatinder Kumar was declared Man of the Series for his all-round contribution.

The winners were awarded a cash prize of Rs 15,000, while the runner-up team received Rs 11,000. The third-place prize of Rs 5,100 was also announced.

Before the final, Haryana defeated Uttarakhand in a thrilling semi-final. Uttarakhand won the toss and decided to bowl first. Haryana managed 140 for 9, with Arjun Kumar (21 off 15) and Nimanan (15 off 18) contributing useful runs. Bowlers Amit Arun, Aneja Pradeep, and Danish took one wicket each.

In reply, Uttarakhand showed resilience but fell short as Haryana comfortably chased down the target, winning by nine wickets. Pradeep Singh Manoj was named Man of the Match for his balanced performance with both bat and ball.

In another league match, Punjab faced Himachal Pradesh. Himachal won the toss and opted to field. Batting first, Punjab posted 247 for 4, with Jatinder Kumar (83) and Akshay Kumar (51) starring in a strong partnership, adding 38 runs with Gurdeep Singh. Himachal’s Keshav and Praveen took one wicket each.

While chasing, Himachal were restricted to 163 runs, giving Punjab an 84-run victory. Jatinder Kumar was adjudged man of the match. The second match saw Haryana defeat Himachal Pradesh by 30 runs. Haryana were all out for 162, with Bablu (27) and Majar Khan (38) leading the scoring. Himachal, chasing the target, managed 132 runs.

In the third match, Himachal Pradesh beat Uttarakhand. Batting first, Uttarakhand made 118 for 6, but Himachal chased down the target in just 9.2 overs, winning by eight wickets.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Sandeep Sharma and Raj Kumar lauded all teams for their discipline, energy, and unity. They reaffirmed the society’s commitment to hosting such tournaments to promote confidence and equality among differently-abled sportspersons.

The event concluded with cheers, handshakes and a promise to return next year with even greater enthusiasm. The 4th Blind T-20 Tournament was not just about cricket—it was a celebration of courage, teamwork and the indomitable human spirit.