The Indian Blind Cricket Team defended their title successfully on Saturday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium wherein they beat Pakistan by 2 wickets in Final of the Blind Cricket World Cup 2018.
While batting first Pakistan put 308 runs for 8 in stipulated 40 overs. In reply, Indian reached the target in 39th over for the loss of 8 wickets.
Meanwhile, the Indian Prime Minister Narendara Modi in a twitter message felicitated the Indian Blind Cricket Team on becoming the World Champions, saying “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!”
With the victory at Sharjah, India became the second team after Pakistan to win the Blind Cricket World Cup twice.
Since 1998, Blind Cricket World Cup is being held after four years, and so far its five Editions have taken place. The first Edition was won by South Africa in 1998 while the next two were won by Pakistan in 2002 and 2006 consecutively.
Pakistan reached the Final of Blind Cricket World Cup 2018 after beating Sri Lanka by 156 runs in the second Semi Final at Eden Garden Cricket Ground on January 17 while India defeated Bangladesh by 7 wickets in the first Semi Final at Ajman Oval.
It was the second time that Pakistan was defeated by the arch rivals in the event as earlier in the group stage match on January 12, India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets. While chasing a target of 283 runs set by Pakistan in stipulated 40 overs, the Defending Champions India reached the target for the loss of 3 wickets in 35 overs.
Besides Pakistan and India, Bangladesh, Australia, Sri Lanka and Nepal also participated in the 5th Edition of the Blind Cricket World Cup which kicked off on January 8, 2018 with the inaugural match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The tournament was jointly hosted by Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Prior to reaching the final against India, Pakistan Blind Cricket Team appeared in six encounters in the event, and emerged victorious in five of them.
