Nepal hammer Pakistan in opening tie

Nepal national women’s blind team members and officials pose for a group photo before the International Women’s Blind Cricket Series match against Pakistan in Lahore on Tuesday.  Photo Courtesy: NSJF
Nepal national women’s blind team members and officials pose for a group photo before the International Women’s Blind Cricket Series match against Pakistan in Lahore on Tuesday.  Photo Courtesy: NSJF

Kathmandu, January 29

Nepal defeated Pakistan by 10 wickets in the opening match of the International Women’s Blind Cricket Series in Lahore today.

Nepal bowled Pakistan out for a paltry 53 runs and chased down the target without losing wicket in just 5.3 overs to take 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing a low total, Nepal opener Binita Pun made a flying start hitting three consecutive boundaries as Nepal garnered 20 runs in the first over. Binita top scored for Nepal with an unbeaten 28 off just 19 balls that included five fours. Another opener Manakeshi Chaudhary scored 14-ball 19 not out with the help of two boundaries.

Earlier, none of the Pakistani batters could score in double figures, while four of them could not even open their accounts. Kiran Rafiq was the top scorer for the home side with nine runs.

Sarita Ghimire and Bhagawati Amgai took one wicket each. Nepali fielders affected eight run outs — four each by wicketkeeper Manakeshi Chaudhary and Sarita himire. Sarita Ghimire, who took one wicket and had four run outs, was named the player of the match and she received Rs 15,000. Binita Pun was awarded with Rs 5,000.

Nepal skipper Bhagawati Bhattarai said the team was little bit scared before playing against Pakistan. “We did not know anything about the opponents as Pakistan had a new team which was formed six months earlier. They played well but we played better than the opponents,” said Bhattarai. “We will put in our best efforts in all matches,” she added.

Pakistan skipper Rabia Shehzadi said they learnt a lot from the match. “This was our first match and we committed many mistakes. We will make corrections in the next matches and will try our best to bounce back,” she said.

The international series is organised by Pakistan Blind Cricket Council for the first time. The teams will now move to Faisalabad for the second match on Thursday.