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The defending champions Pakistan whipped Australia by ten wickets here at F-9 Park on Wednesday to reach the final of Third Cricket World Cup for the Blind.

Pakistan bowlers ran riot and shot out Australia for a meagre 99 in 29.3 overs. They then got to the victory target of 100 runs in just 17.5 overs to emphatically win the first semifinal of the tournament.

Pakistan, after their win, achieved the distinction of making it to the final of all three editions of the Cricket World Cup for the Blind. They lost the first edition to South Africa who didn’t participate this time around but grabbed the second edition against the same team.

Deciding to field after winning the toss, Pakistan ran out five Aussie batsmen to add miseries to their poor batting. Meanwhile, Pakistan bowlers, Abdur Razzaq and Aamir Ashfaq looked in great form and captured two wickets each for the home side.

For Australia, Nick Hider top-scored with 28 runs while Robinson scored 17 runs. Paul Renaki and Kirstenson contributed with 12 runs each.

Mohammad Fayyaz hammered 65 runs to play a key role in Pakistan’s victory. His brilliant performance with the bat won him the man-of-the-match award. His partner at the crease, Noor Qureshi, contributed with 26 runs.

The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Muhammad Ali Durrani, was the chief guest on the occasion and gave away the prizes.

Durrani, speaking after the match, commended the role of media particularly the Jang Group and Geo Television in the promotion of sports and holding the Cricket World Cup for the Blind. He said it was an honour for the country to host such an event.

Durrani expressed the hope that Pakistan would successfully defend their title.

India and England will figure in the second semifinal at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday (today). The final if the Third Cricket World Cup for the Blind is scheduled for Saturday.
Source:The News