ISLAMABAD: Pakistan outclassed England by 147 runs in the World Blind T20 semi-final at the KSCA Ground Alur in Bangalore on Saturday to set up a mouth-watering final against traditional rivals and hosts India.

The win against England was Pakistan’s 10th consecutive in the event where the greenshirts in a superb run have remained unbeaten.

The final will be held in Bangalore on Sunday.

After being invited to bat first, Pakistan amassed a mammoth 309-1 in their 20 overs with openers Badar Munir and Israr Hassan scoring centuries during an epic 226-run stand.

Badar retired after scoring a magnificent 43-ball 103 with the help of 18 fours while Israr, who was declared man-of-the-match, remained unbeaten on 143 off 69 balls. He smashed 28 fours and one six. Amir Ishfaq and Matiullah also chipped in with useful cameos of 26 and 20, respectively.

In reply, England could muster 162-7 in the stipulated 20 overs. Matthew Page was England’s highest scorer with 41 while Luke Sugg contributed 34.

For Pakistan, Zafar Iqbal bagged two wickets while Israr and Amir claimed one wicket each.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2017