ISLAMABAD - The unbroken 126-run opening stand between Mohsin Ali and Afzal Javed helped Rawalpindi Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA) team outclass Pakistan Disabled Sports Association (PDSA) team by 10 wickets to lift the 1st Shahtaj Cup T20 match played here at Shalimar cricket ground on Monday.
Australian High Commissioner Peter Hayward was the chief guest on the occasion, while ambassadors of different countries, PDSA chairman Sheik Abdul Waheed, secretary Nasir Mehmood Chaudhry, treasurer M Naveed Malik, ICCI acting president Shakeel Munir, PSB deputy director hostels Malik Imtiaz Hussain, RISJA chairman Abdul Mohi Shah, Sheikh Tayyab Saeed, M Wali Chaudhry, Asad Liaquat, Fawad Chaudhry, Shabbir Ahmed along with other dignitaries and sizable crowd were also present there.
Mashal School for Street Going Kids also sent pupils to witness the match. PDSA skipper Kamran Butt opted to bat first and the decision paid off as they made 50 without loss in only six overs. Kamran led from the front as he scored stylish 60, hitting five fours and two sixes while M Naved slammed unbeaten 26. PDSA posted a decent total of 122-4 in 20 overs. Shakir Abbasi, Kashif Abbasi and Zahid Farooq Malik took one wicket each. RISJA replied strongly as their openers Mohsin and Afzal played superb innings and helped their team achieve the target for no loss in 18.3 overs. Mohsin hammered 56, hitting four fours and three sixes, while Afzal contributed 54, with five fours and two sixes.
Australian High Commissioner Peter Hayward, Palestine envoy Walid Abu Ali, Cuban envoy Jesus Zenen Buergo, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Air Chief Marshal (r) Jayalath Weerakkody, Myanmar envoy Win Naing, deputy head of the mission of Sudan Ahmed Abdel Rahman Mohamed and other high profile personalities distributed prizes among the players.
PDSA skipper Kamran was declared man of the match, and he also received runners-up trophy, while encouragement trophy was awarded to Aqeel. Mohsin Ali was awarded glittering Shahtaj Cup Trophy by the chief guest and Shahtaj Group chief executive Sheikh Aamir Waheed.
Speaking at the occasion, Peter highly lauded the PDSA for conducting such a wonderful and highly entertaining event for the deserving players. “It will help these disabled players to showcase their skills in front of whole world; I am very obliged, humbled that the PDSA invited me for such a nice occasion. I will always be present for this noble cause whenever needed.”