DUBAI, Feb 13: Pakistan clinched the Twenty20 rubber in the first-ever ‘International Disabled Cricket Series’ against England by winning the second and final game by 20 runs at the ICC Global Cricket Academy here on Sunday.

After being sent into bat by England captain James Williams, Pakistan Disabled made 136-7 with Altaf Ahmed and Matloob Qureshi putting on an opening stand of 68. Altaf scored 37 off 30 balls with five fours and one six, while Matloob struck five boundaries in making 30 from 24 deliveries.

Abdullah Khan (23 off 20 balls with three fours) and Hasnain Alam (22 off 24 with three fours) were the other run-getters.Daniel Hamm captured two for 15 to emerge as the most successful England Disabled bowlers while Williams and Matthew Partington took one wicket each.

England Disabled, in reply, failed in their chase and were dismissed for 116 in the penultimate over. Shaun Rigby was the top-scorer by scoring 27 off 35 balls with a six and a four. Partington contributed a 20-ball 22 with four hits to the fence.

Jahanzaib Tiwana, who bowls off-spin, claimed three for 15, while slow left-armer Ameer Ahmed took 2-27. Jahanzaib was adjudged the Man-of-the-Match.

In Saturday’s opening game, Pakistan Disabled won by 14 runs.

Haroon Lorgat, the chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC) who watched the match with great interest, lauded the Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association (PDCA) and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for playing such a series of matches.

Speaking on the occasion, Lorgat said: “The disabled cricketers of both countries are very talented. They showed the potential and the spirit and played excellent cricket despite being handicapped. I must congratulate the officials of PDCA and ECB for giving me a chance to watch these special cricketers.”

PDCA president Saleem Karim, who is also the Pakistan captain, presented a shield and a tie to the ICC chief. Also present on the occasion were Ian Martin and Amiruddin Ansari, who are the series directors, and Pakistan media manager Mohammad Nizam.

The two teams will now play in three one-day matches at the same venue with the first one being played on Tuesday.

Summarised scores:

PAKISTAN DISABLED 136-7 in 20 overs (Altaf Ahmed 37, Matloob Qureshi 30, Abdullah Khan 23, Hasnain Alam 20; D. Hamm 2-15, J. Williams 1-2, M. Partington 1-28); ENGLAND DISABLED 110 in 18.5 overs (S. Rigby 27, M. Partington 22; Jahanzaib Tiwana 3-15, Ameer Ahmed 2-27, Fayyaz Ahmed 1-19).—Agencies