MULTAN: Pakistan and Bangladesh have booked their spots in the final of the fourth T20 Blind Cricket World Cup, eliminating Sri Lanka and Nepal from the title race.

Pakistan dominated Nepal in the first semifinal, restricting them to 94/7 in 20 overs. Durga Datta top-scored for Nepal with 40 runs.

Pakistan’s Matiullah claimed three wickets while giving away only five runs in his four overs.

In response, Pakistan’s openers Kamran Akhtar and Babar Ali made light work of the target, chasing it down in just 5.3 overs without losing a wicket.

Kamran smashed an unbeaten 63 off 21 balls, including a record-breaking fifty off 14 balls.

In the second semifinal, Bangladesh edged out Sri Lanka by six runs in a thrilling encounter.

Bangladesh scored 244 runs in 20 overs, with Mohammad Salman scoring 97 off 49 balls. Sri Lanka fought valiantly but fell short, scoring 238 runs in their 20 overs. Salman was declared player-of-the-match.

The final between Pakistan and Bangladesh will take place on Tuesday at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2024