CAPE TOWN: Pakistan thrashed England by eight wickets in the first semi-final of the Blind Cricket World Cup to set up the title clash against India who overcame Sri Lanka in the second semi-final here on Saturday.

Batting first at the YMCA Cricket Ground, England scored 264-8 in the allotted 40 overs with Luke Sugg scoring an impressive 105 and Justin Hollingsworth 53.

For Pakistan, Haroon Khan was the most successful bowler with two for 36 while Zeeshan Abbasi, Idrees Saleem and Israr bagged a wicket each.

Pakistan, in reply, started aggressively with openers Haroon Khan and Mohammad Jamil hammering the English bowlers all around the park.

Haroon then fell for 45 off 25 balls with eight fours. Amir Ishfaq, then went on the rampage to score the blind cricket history’s fastest half- century off just 14 deliveries to eclipse his compatriot Abdul Razzaq’s 17-ball record vs Australia in the inaugural event in New Delhi in 1998.

Amir got out after scoring 58 off 20 balls while Jamil remained unbeaten on 117 off just 57 balls with the help of 18 boundaries and two sixes. It was his second consecutive ton in this World Cup.

Pakistan reached the target in 17.4 overs for the loss of two wickets. Edward Hossel took two wickets for Enlgand.

Pakistan now face arch rivals India in Sunday’s final which will be played at Wally Wilson Cricket Ground of Western Province Cricket Club here.

Published in Dawn December 7th , 2014