India beat Pakistan to win cricket World Cup for the Blind 2014

Indian players celebrate the final win over Pakistan (Image credits PTVSports)

The Indian visually impaired cricket team won the Cricket World Cup for the Blind in Cape Town on Sunday. The final was an interesting game between arch rivals India and Pakistan. As expected in any India-Pakistan clash, the final was a thriller which India won in the last over of the innings.

Pakistan were the defending champions and winners of the last two editions of One Day World Cup and had also defeated India earlier in the tournament during a league stage match. In fact, Pakistan hold a unique record of qualifying for finals in all the four editions of the World Cup, including this year.

In the 4 editions of the Blind World Cup, this was India’s first title win. It was the second appearance in the final for Team India.

India had won the toss and decided to bowl first. Batting first, Pakistan put up a total of 389 for the loss of 7 wickets in their quota of 40 overs. India were able to chase the target with 2 balls left in the game and 5 wickets in hand.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Jamil scored 102 runs, including 11 fours and a six, Mohammad Akram, the middle order batsman, scored a 43-ball 75 which included 8 fours and a six. He remained not out and took his team to a very good total of 389 runs. Amol Dattaray was the pick of the bowlers for the Indian team, picking up 2 wickets in his 8 overs.

In reply, India got off to a poor start and lost 2 wickets before putting up 50 on the board. A 78-run partnership for the 3rd wicket between Deepak and Rao helped India to make a come back in the game.

India lost 2 quick wickets in the middle as well. However, a quick-fire 82 from Prakasha Jayaramaiah helped India to win their first World Cup. His innings came off just 38 balls and included 11 fours and a six. He was also supported well from the other end by Ketanbhai Babughai Patel who scored 76 and Ajay Reddy who remained not out on 74.