DHAKA: A fine unbeaten half century by opener Matloob Qureshi and deadly bowling spells by spinners Rao Javed and Umaizur Rehman lifted Pakistan to a thumping 8-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the ICRC International Disabled Cricket Tournament at the BKSP Ground 3 here on Friday.

Afghanistan batted first and scored 118-9 in the allotted 20 overs with Mohammadullah being the top scorer with 43 off just 24 balls with the help of seven boundaries and two sixes. Ubaidullah scored 31 in 36 balls with two sixes.

Off-spinner Rao Javed captured four wickets for 19 runs while right-arm leg-spinner Umaiz grabbed 3 for 12.

Pakistan Disabled cricketers reached the target of 119 for the loss of only two wickets in 16 overs. One-handed opener Matloob Qureshi stroked a fine half century (55) in just 41 balls with seven fours and two sixes. Hasnain Alam belted 35 quick runs in 26 balls with four boundaries. The two players put on 78 runs for the first wicket partnership.

Matloob was declared Man of the Match. President PDCA Saleem Kareem, former Pakistan captain and ambassdor PDCA Rashid Latif, Secretary PDCA Amiruddin Ansari and Mohammad Nizam were also present on the occasion.

Pakistan will play their second twenty20 match against hosts Bangladesh on Saturday (today) at BKSP Ground 4.— Agencies

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2015

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