The fourth T20 Blind Cricket World Cup final took place at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, with Pakistan defeating Bangladesh by a margin of 10 wickets.
Since 1996, the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) has regulated blind cricket, a modified version of the game for players who are blind or partially sighted. 2008 saw the start of the 40-over Blind World Cup, while 2012 saw the first Blind World T20.
Teams from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, Nepal, and Afghanistan competed in the fourth edition of the T20 competition, which was hosted by Pakistan this year. On November 23, the first game between South Africa and Pakistan began.
Nepal and Pakistan advanced to the tournament’s first semi-final, when the Green Shirts outclassed their opponents and held them to 94/7 in 20 overs. Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka by a margin of six runs in the second semifinal.
After losing seven wickets in their 20 overs, Bangladesh stepped out to bat first in today’s last game and managed to score 139. Pakistan’s Babar Ali claimed two wickets in four overs, conceding 24 runs, while Bangladesh’s Arif Hussain was the top scorer with 54 runs on 52 deliveries.
Pakistan reached the mark in the second inning without losing a wicket in the eleventh over. Muhammad Safdar scored 47 and captain Nisar Ali scored 72 to help Pakistan win the global title and go undefeated in the competition.
Messages of congratulations flood in.
Syed Sultan Shah, the chairman of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council, congratulated the team and the country on their win.
In a separate post on X, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) congratulated the team on winning the championship.
President Asif Ali Zardari praised the players for their outstanding performance and congratulated the squad on winning the World Cup.
“People with disabilities have the potential to achieve excellence in sports,” he said, congratulating the team on winning the title on the day of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The president emphasized giving individuals with disabilities more opportunity and resources to succeed, as well as more inclusion in all spheres of life, including sports.
“The tournament was characterized by outstanding collaboration! Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked them, saying, “I am sure they will continue to perform with the same zeal, reaching even greater heights in the future.”
In addition to congratulating the blind side and its management, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the team displayed a great deal of enthusiasm during the competition.
According to the chairman, Muhammad Safdar and captain Nisar Ali played outstandingly throughout the final and won.
Naqvi expressed his hope that the team would play with the same fervor and succeed more in the future, saying, “The players demonstrated excellent teamwork in every match of the tournament.”
“This is a fantastic gift from Pakistanis with disabilities to their country on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and it is truly a source of great pride for the entire country,” stated PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
“Your commitment, tenacity, and unwavering spirit have demonstrated that no challenge is insurmountable. According to a news release from Bilawal House, he stated, “You are an inspiration to millions.”
The squad received congratulations from Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan for their “unbeaten journey and brilliant performances.”
“A brilliant example of excellence and perseverance!” he wrote on X.
Through the X platform, PPP Vice-President Sherry Rehman expressed her sincere congratulations to the Pakistan Blind Cricket Team for their outstanding triumph in the T20 World Cup.
“The team’s outstanding performance in the championship game was truly remarkable.” Pakistan’s victory over Bangladesh in the closing moments is evidence of their exceptional collaboration and unwavering willpower. I applaud the Blind Cricket Team’s dedication and passion in proudly representing our country.
The accomplishment, which raised Pakistan’s profile internationally, was also referred to as a “historic achievement” by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kund, who said it was a source of great pride for the whole country.
“The players have shown that Pakistan can excel in any field thanks to their unwavering dedication, unrelenting hard work, and extraordinary determination.” For our young people, this triumph is a ray of hope, demonstrating that no obstacle is too big to conquer with bravery, tenacity, and an unwavering spirit,” he wrote on X.
