LAHORE ( Sports Reporter): Islamabad and Rawalpindi began the second phase of the ICRC National Physical Disability Cricket Championship with victories on the opening day, defeating Faisalabad and Sialkot, respectively.
Islamabad registered a convincing 67-run victory over Faisalabad, while Rawalpindi edged past Sialkot by 17 runs in an exciting encounter at Ayub Park Cricket Ground.
Islamabad’s Zubair Khan produced an outstanding bowling performance, claiming seven wickets to emerge as the star performer of the day.
In the first match, Islamabad, batting first, scored 157 runs in 19.4 overs. Syed Wazarat Shah top-scored with a valuable 37 off 34 balls, including six boundaries. Waqif Shah contributed 24 off 20 deliveries with four fours, while lower-order batter Muhammad Bilal added a quickfire 21 off just 11 balls, hitting four boundaries.
For Faisalabad, Adnan Butt was the leading wicket-taker with four wickets for 19 runs, while Saqlain Abbas and Muhammad Abdullah claimed two wickets each.
In reply, Faisalabad struggled against Islamabad’s disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for 90 in 17 overs.
Sameer Ashraf offered some resistance with 33 off 32 balls, including five fours, while Irfan Ali scored 22.
Zubair Khan dismantled the Faisalabad batting line-up, taking seven wickets for just 15 runs. His remarkable bowling effort earned him the Man of the Match award.
Pakistan Physical Disability Cricket Association (PPDCA) President Imran Bilwani presented Zubair Khan with a cash prize in recognition of his outstanding performance.
The second match saw Rawalpindi overcome Sialkot by 17 runs after another competitive contest.
Batting first, Rawalpindi posted 146 for six in their allotted 20 overs. Muhammad Tahir led the scoring with 39 runs, including two boundaries. Rasool Badshah scored 25 off 17 balls, hitting two fours and a six, while Aslan Madani and Qayyum Khan contributed 23 and 18 runs, respectively.
For Sialkot, Shehroz Ali, Shahid Iqbal, Muhammad Mujtaba, Luqman Arif and Raja Ali Abbas took one wicket apiece.
Chasing 147, Sialkot were dismissed for 129 in 19.3 overs despite a fighting half-century from Aamir Nazir, who scored 52 off 41 balls with four fours and four sixes.
Muhammad Nauman provided further resistance with 29, including four boundaries and a six, but the target remained beyond Sialkot’s reach.
Qayyum Khan spearheaded Rawalpindi’s bowling attack with three wickets for 20 runs. Hussain Khan claimed two wickets, while Rasool Badshah, Abdul Basit and Bilal Azeem took one wicket each.
Qayyum Khan was declared Man of the Match for his impressive all-round contribution, with Pakistan Physical Disability Cricket Team Head Coach Sabih Azhar presenting him with a cash prize.
PPDCA President Imran Bilwani, Secretary Ameeruddin Ansari, Head Coach Sabih Azhar, Regional Heads Javed Ashraf and Muhammad Tahir Raja, Tournament Coordinator Nasrullah, PPDCA Director Muhammad Nizam and other officials were present during the matches.
The second phase of the championship features four matches, providing participating teams with further opportunities to compete for a place in the next stage.
