Multan registered a commanding 199-run win over Hyderabad, while hosts Bahawalpur defeated Sargodha by 35 runs on the opening day of the competition.
Officials of the Pakistan Physical Disability Cricket Association (PPDCA), including secretary Ameeruddin Ansari, Multan regional head Jameel Kamran and PPDCA director Muhammad Nizam, were present during the matches.
In the first match, Multan posted 237 runs for the loss of four wickets after being put into bat. Majid Hussain led the innings with an impressive 94 from 54 deliveries, hitting 11 boundaries.
Jahangzaib Tawana provided valuable support, scoring 49 from just 22 balls with six fours and two sixes. Muhammad Matloob also made a useful contribution of 36 runs, including four boundaries, as Multan established a strong total.
Hyderabad struggled in reply and were dismissed for just 38 runs in 11.3 overs. None of their batters managed to reach double figures, while the team added 10 runs through extras.
Asif Khichi produced a remarkable bowling performance, claiming five wickets for only two runs to dismantle the Hyderabad batting line-up. Muhammad Irfan, Zubair Saleem, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Tariq took one wicket apiece.
The 199-run margin underlined Multan’s dominance in all departments, with their batters setting a challenging target before the bowlers completed a comprehensive victory.
Majid Hussain was named player of the match for his outstanding contribution with the bat. Amjad Farooq Warraich, director of sports at Islamia University Bahawalpur and the chief guest, presented him with a cash award.
The second match saw Bahawalpur overcome Sargodha by 35 runs after producing a strong batting performance and an effective bowling display.
Batting first, Bahawalpur scored 192 for five in their allotted 20 overs. Muhammad Nauman was the standout performer, striking a century from 59 balls. His 103-run innings included 14 fours and one six.
Abid Hussain contributed 23 runs, while Mirza Wasim added 22 to help Bahawalpur build a competitive total. For Sargodha, Muhammad Akram claimed two wickets, while Ali Raza and Asad Ali took one wicket each.
Chasing 193 for victory, Sargodha finished on 157 for eight in 20 overs and fell short by 35 runs.
Muhammad Naveed remained unbeaten on 55 from 32 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. Muhammad Arshad scored 46 with six fours, while Ahsan Khalil added 17 runs. Their efforts kept Sargodha in contention, but the required scoring rate and loss of wickets prevented the team from reaching the target.
Bahawalpur’s Abid Hussain led the bowling attack, taking three wickets and completing a hat-trick. Ghulam Muhammad and Abdul Khaliq supported him with two wickets each.
Nauman received the player-of-the-match award for his century. Qazi Irfan Khalil, assistant director of sports at Islamia University Bahawalpur, presented him with a cash prize.
PPDCA secretary Ameeruddin Ansari also gave Abid Hussain a special cash award in recognition of his hat-trick.
The opening day featured notable individual performances, particularly Majid Hussain’s near-century, Khichi’s five-wicket haul, Nauman’s hundred and Abid Hussain’s hat-trick.
The championship provides a competitive platform for cricketers with physical disabilities to demonstrate their skills and represent their respective regions. The opening results gave Multan and Bahawalpur strong starts in the third phase, while Hyderabad and Sargodha will look to recover in their upcoming fixtures.
Two further matches are scheduled to be played on the next day of the championship as the competition continues in Bahawalpur.
