LAHORE: A brilliant all-round performance by Zaka Ahmed helped Pakistan win the inaugural Asia Deaf T20 Cricket Cup, as they recorded an impressive 50-run win over arch-rivals India in the final at the LCCA ground here on Sunday.

Zaka first excelled with the willow as opener, cracking a 63-ball 108 studded with 15 fours and four sixes as Pakistan posted a challenging total of 185 for four in their 20 overs.

Zaka featured in first two major partnerships: first he produced an opening stand of 46 with Bilal Yousuf (20); he then added another 62 runs with Nadeem (31) for the second-wicket stand.

India’s Parth Gajjar claimed two wickets for 22.

Chasing a tough target of 186, the Indian batsmen crumbled under pressure. Openers Imran Shaikh (25), Vipul Patel (22) and Lokesh Rawal (23) were the only notable scorers.

Zaka, named man-of-the-match, bowled his off-spin which was unplayable for the Indians, as he snared six wickets for just 22 in four overs, as Pakistan restricted their opponents to 135 all out in 19.3 overs.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2015

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