Pakistan won the Blind T20 Cricket World Cup for the first time after beating Bangladesh by 10 wickets in the final at Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Bangladesh batted first and scored 139 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Arif Hussain was the top scorer for Bangladesh, making 54 runs. Pakistan's Babar Ali was the standout bowler, taking three wickets, while Motiullah and Mohammad Salman each picked up one wicket.
In response, Pakistan easily chased down the target of 140 runs in just 11 overs without losing a wicket. Openers Nisar Ali (72 not out) and Mohammad Safdar (47 not out) played superbly, guiding Pakistan to a dominant 10-wicket victory.
This victory is historic for Pakistan as it marks their first-ever Blind T20 World Cup win. The tournament, which started in 2012, had previously been dominated by India. India had won all three of the past editions, defeating Pakistan in 2012, and beating them by 9 wickets in 2017. In the 2022 edition, India defeated Bangladesh in the final to claim the trophy once again. However, in the 2024 edition, held in Pakistan, the trend was broken, with Pakistan emerging as the champions.
Pakistan's triumph over Bangladesh ended India's reign and made history in blind cricket.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi congratulated the team for their exceptional performance. He praised the outstanding batting displays by captain Nisar Ali and Mohammad Safdar, which played a crucial role in the victory. Naqvi also acknowledged the team's management for their support and contribution to the team's success.
He expressed hope that the Pakistan blind cricket team would continue to perform with the same dedication and spirit in the future, aiming for even greater achievements.