ISLAMABAD - Pakistan handicapped cricket team started their campaign against the visiting Afghanistan handicapped team on a winning note as they thrashed tourists by 8 wickets in the first Twent20 played here at Shalimar Cricket Ground Friday to take 1-0 lead in the best of three series.
Afghan skipper Fareed Sherzada after winning the toss opted to bat first. The decision proved to be a disastrous one as Afghan team were bundled out for 67 runs in 15 overs. Ashraf Arbab played some stylish strokes before he was out after scoring 20 runs. Jahanzaib also played well for his 12 runs but none of the other Afghan batsmen even managed to cross the double figures. Right arm off spinner Kashif Nawaz picked up 3 for 12 runs, while Shujaat Ali and skipper M Fayyaz chipped in with 2 wickets each conceding 13 and 17 runs, respectively.
Pakistan Handicapped team achieved the target in seven overs losing two wickets. Openers Junaid Khan and Adeel Khan provided a dream start to their team hitting 46 runs in 3.3 overs before Junaid was the first man to be clean bowled by Khushal Hamza after scoring 13 runs. Adeel played some lusty blows before he too got out at the hands of Ghulam Hazrat after scoring 32 runs in only 14 deliveries hitting 4 boundaries and two out sixes. Altaf and Saqib ensure Pakistan achieve the target without being separated in 7 overs.
This was also the first ever victory for Pakistan Handicapped cricket team in international matches, as they had lost the first ever international series against India. Pakistan Handicapped team looked a completely different outfit under the watchful eyes of newly-appointed head coach Irfan Bhatti and manager Ajmal Sabir.
Pakistan Test player Sohail Tanveer was the chief guest, while Australian Deputy High Commissioner Paul Molloy, Col (R) Ihsan, former ICCI presidents Munawar Mughal, Zahid Maqbool, ICCI Founder Group Chairman Tariq Sadiq, Akram Fareed, PCAPH Chairman Abbas Hashmi, Secretary Waqar Ahmed, Pak-Afghan series chief organizer Ch Nasir, Sports Committee Chairman Saeed Bhatti, PCAPH Director Ishfaq Chatta, Naveed Malik, Vice Chairman Raja Imran along with other dignitaries were also present on the ground.
Kashif Nawaz was named man of the match while Adeel Khan was awarded a special cash prize by PCAPH for his powerful hitting. While speaking at the occasion Sohail Tanveer applauded the efforts of PCAPH and thanked the organizers for honoring him and promised his availability whenever required.