CAPE TOWN: Pakistan blind cricket team continued its brilliant run here on Tuesday with another superb performance in the 4th Blind Cricket World Cup 2014 when they outplayed Sri Lanka to reach the semifinals of the event here at the YMCA Cricket Ground of Western Province Cricket Club in South Africa.

Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first and went onto pile up a mammoth 418 for 4 in the stipluated 40 overs. Although they lost two early wickets with just 47 on the board, Haroon and Anees accelerated the score with some great shots all around the field to take their team out of danger. Anees got out after making a quickfire 72 runs off 44 balls with the help of 12 boundaries.

Thereafter, both Haroon and Mohammad Akram took charge and further consolidated Pakistan position in the match as they reached their respective centuries in style. Akram scored a fine 114 runs off just 55 balls with 19 fours and a six but Haroon was the star of Pakistan batting as he remained unbeaten on 180 runs off 116 balls with 20 boundaries and a six.

In reply, Sri Lanka struggled against Pakistan attack and kept losing wickets. In the end they only managed to reach 194 in allotted 40 overs. MD Danish was the top scorer with 65 runs while KAD Rawan scored 33 runs. Zeeshan Abbasi took 3 wickets in his 8 overs spell, giving away only 29 runs. Haroon and Israr Hassan took 2 wickets each while Sajid claimed 1 wicket.

Haroon was declared the Man of the Match. In the other matches, India beat Australia by 9 wickets to also reach the semi-finals. Pakistan will play Australia at Gary Kirsten Oval Ground today in the first semifinal.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2014