India’s visually impaired cricket team led by Ajay Reddy lift their second successive Blind Cricket World Cup title on Saturday (January 20) by beating arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling final by two wickets. Team India remained unbeaten throughout their successful campaign.
Pakistan blind cricket team scored 308 for 8 in their allotted 40 overs with Badar Munir (57) being the highest scorer. Skipper Nisar Ali also contributed with a valuable 47 while Riasat Khan made a quickie 48.
Chasing the stiff target, India’s Sunil Ramesh scored a well composed 93 while skipper Ajay Reddy made 63 as the defending champions overhauled the total with more than one over to spare. India had also defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the group stage.
Following the special triumph, India’s honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to micro-blogging site Twitter to lead the congratulatory messages.
“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!” PM Modi wrote in his tweet.
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!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2018
Besides the Prime Minister, India Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu also passed on his heartfelt message through Twitter.
Congratulations to visually challenged Indian cricket team for winning World Cup cricket for the Blind. You made the nation proud and are an inspiration for all of us. pic.twitter.com/ItvrRHPQ2K
— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) January 20, 2018
Indian cricket fraternity also lauded the blind cricket team as the likes of VVS Laxman, Mithali Raj and Harbhajan Singh complimented the team for this astonishing feat.
Congratulations to each and every member of the Indian team for winning the #BlindCricketWorldCup
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 20, 2018
Congratulations Team India! Thrilled to know our men in blue are unstoppable! More support, love & attention ought to be paid to this glorious team. https://t.co/AgyihAgG9Q
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) January 20, 2018
What a win by #TeamIndia. Congratulations on winning #BlindCricketWorldCup
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 20, 2018