Sports
Inaugural Blind T20 World Cup a resounding success
India lifted the inaugural Blind Cricket Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday, brushing aside a gritty Nepal outfit in the Colombo final to underline their dominance in a tournament where they never once took their foot off the pedal.
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Dr Harini Amarasuriya, carved time out of her packed schedule to share a moment with the athletes, moving freely among the players, congratulating them and saluting the event as a landmark for inclusion. “This World Cup is more than just a competition. It is a collective statement about access, equity and the growing participation of women in sport,” she noted — a message that hit the sweet spot on a day when cricket transcended boundaries.
India were unbeaten right through the competition, running through their five league games before sweeping aside Australia in the semi-finals. Nepal, meanwhile, pulled off the upset of the tournament when they toppled Pakistan in the other semi — a result that denied an epic India – Pakistan final.
In the final, Nepal’s total of 114 was always going to be well short against a strong Indian outfit. India eased home by seven wickets with eight overs to spare.
Sri Lanka and the United States were the other contestants in a tournament that showcased the global reach of the sport.
Cricketing meetings between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan have often been high-octane affairs, with players in recent months refusing to shake hands. But here, in the world of blind cricket, there were no bouncers, no bad blood. Players from both sides exchanged handshakes and warm words, a gentle reminder that sport, at its best, is still the great leveller.
The early stages of the event were staged in Bangalore and New Delhi before the knockout rounds moved to Colombo. Questions had hung in the air about how organisers would meet the hefty costs of hosting an event of this scale, but benefactors stepped up to keep the show on the road.
Prime Minister, Dr Harini Amarasuriya, carved time out of her packed schedule to share a moment with the athletes, moving freely among the players, congratulating them and saluting the event as a landmark for inclusion.
Among them was 95-year-old Chandra Schaffter — Sri Lanka’s oldest living cricketer — who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Fittingly, the Colombo leg was played at the historic P. Sara Oval, where he serves as Patron. The ground, which staged Sri Lanka’s maiden Test in 1982 and their first Test win in 1985, is also the only venue in Asia graced by the great Don Bradman.
Blind cricket is played underarm — a style outlawed in the sighted game since 1981 — using a white plastic ball filled with ball bearings that rattle along the turf. Players rely on sound and not sight, reading the game by ear and instinct.
Teams comprise fully blind and partially blind cricketers, classified as B1, B2 and B3. Each side must field at least four completely blind players, while the others are blindfolded to ensure fairness. B1 players are aided by runners to avert collisions and injuries.
The World Blind Cricket Council, headquartered in London since 1996, governs the sport globally. The men’s game features both ODIs and T20s, but this year marked a watershed moment: the debut of the women’s T20 format.
by Rex Clementine
Forced to follow on after being dismissed for 111 runs, Risinu Kithmuka scored an unbeaten half century to anchor St. Servarius’ batting line up to force a draw to their Under 19 cricket encounter against S. Thomas’ at Mount Lavinia on Friday.
The dogged knock facing 121 balls, helped the visitor post 93 for five wickets at close.
In a match dominated by the home team, Aaron David’s century was the highlight for S. Thomas’. They posted 269 for four wickets at close on day one and declared on the overnight score.
Meanwhile at Kotahena, Mevan Dissanayake top scored with 91 runs inclusive of eight fours and three sixes for St. Benedict’s to post 295 for 9 declared against Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya.
Results
Thomians dominate against St. Servatius’ at Mount Lavinia
Scores
S. Thomas’ 269 for 4 decl. in 73.3 overs (Jaden Amaraweera 40, Avinash Fernando 50, Aaron David 100n.o., Reshon Soloman 56; Lasindu Ramanayaka 2/87)
St. Servatius’ 111 all out 54.4 overs (Risinu Kithmuka 26, Thathsilu Bandara 20; Minon Warnasuriya 2/14, Chamash Gunawardena 2/24, Shanil Perera 3/18, Reshon Solomon 2/09) and 93 for 5 in 36 overs (Risinu Kithmuka 51n.o.; Aaron de Silva 2/30, Shanil Perera 3/23)
Bens 295 for 9 decl., Sri Dharmaloka 87/2 at Kotahena
Scores
St. Benedict’s 295 for 9 decl. in 56.4 overs (Mevan Dissanayake 91, Vihanga Rathnayake 42, Yohan Edirisinghe 31, Ayesh Gajanayake 49; Sathindu Praboda 4/98, Tharusha Mihiranga 2/66)
Sri Dharmaloka 87 for 2 in 25 overs (Senuka Pehesara 40, Kaveen Deneth 40n.o.; Ayesh Gajanayake 2/27)
by Reemus Fernando
Pakistan marched into the final of the Under 19 Asia Cup with a clinical eight wicket win over Bangladesh in the rain-hit semi-final in Dubai, after a dominant bowling performance led by Abdul Subban set up a straightforward chase. The victory sets up a final clash against India, who won the first semi final against Sri Lanka earlier in the day.
Opting to field after winning the toss in the rain-reduced 27-overs-a-side contest, Pakistan made early inroads as Bangladesh slipped to 24 for 2 inside six overs. Captain Azizul Hakim offered brief resistance to steady the innings, but wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.
Fast bowler Subhan was the standout with the ball, picking up four wickets to dismantle the middle order. From 55 for 2 in the 13th over, Bangladesh lost five wickets for just 38 runs, collapsing to 93 for 7. The lower order struggled to rebuild, and Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 121 in 26.3 overs, with no batter able to convert a start into a big score.
In reply, Pakistan’s chase was smooth. After the early loss of opener Hamza Zahoor in the first over, Sameer Minhas anchored the innings with a composed, unbeaten 69, ensuring there were no further hiccups. He struck six fours and two sixes as Pakistan cruised to 122 for 2 with 63 balls to spare.
With this knock, Minhas took his tournament’s tally to 299 to be the highest run-getter.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 122 for 2 in 16.3 overs (Sameer Minhas 69*, Usman Khan 27; Samiun Basir 1-17) beat Bangladesh 121 in 26.3 overs (Samiun Basir 33; Abdul Subhan 4-20, Huzaifa Ahasan 2-10)by eight wickets
[Cricinfo]
Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George’s patient half-centuries helped India beat Sri Lanka in a rain-reduced game and set up an U-19 Asia Cup final with Pakistan.
It was a game where the momentum kept changing hands. India had Sri Lanka at 28 for 3 after opting to bowl. Captain Vimath Dinsara and Chamika Heenetigala hit back with a 45-run stand, but Sri Lanka soon lost 3 for 11. A 62-run stand between Heenatigala and Sethmika Seneviratne followed, but India again turned it around in the final three overs.
In reply, India were 25 for 2 as Sri Lanka sniffed a comeback. But Malhotra and George added an unbeaten 114 runs in a partnership of two halves: the first 62 runs they added took 51 balls, while the next 52 came off 36 deliveries. It was Malhotra who swung the game India’s way when he went 4, 4, 6 off Dulnith Sigera in the 13th over. Malhotra reached his fifty off 35 balls, while George took 43 balls.
India’s win was set up after their bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 138. Kishan Singh and Deepesh Devendran struck early, while Vedant Trivedi’s direct hit ran Kavija Gamage out in the sixth over.
But Kanishk Chouhan struck twice in the 12th over, and Khilan Patel in the 13th, to force Sri Lanka to rebuild again. That brought Heenatigala and Seneviratne together. Seneviratne was the attacking of the two while Heenatigala, limping a little, was more patient. At 118 for 6 with three overs left, and with Seneviratne connecting it cleanly, Sri Lanka may have hoped to post 150. But just 20 runs amid two wickets in the last three overs applied the brakes on their scoring.
India will meet Pakistan in the final on Sunday.
Brief scores:
India Under 19s 139 for 2 in 18 overs (Vihaan Malhotra 61*, Aaron George 58*; Rasith Nimsara 2-31) beat Sri Lanka Under 19s 138 for 8 in 20 overs (Chamika Heenatigala 42, Vimath Dinsara 32, Sethmika Senevirathne 30; Henil Patel 2-31, Kanishk Chouhan 2-36) by eight wickets
[Cricinfo]
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