Blind Cricket World Cup: Deepak Malik’s 179* Helps India Beat SL

India beat Sri Lanka in their opening match of the Blind Cricket World Cup.

(Photo: PTI)

Haryana boy Deepak Malik scored an unbeaten 179 off 103 balls as India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in their second match of the ODI Blind Cricket World Cup in the UAE on Wednesday, 10 January. India will next be playing Pakistan on Friday, 12 January.

India’s opening game against Australia was called off due to heavy rain at Ajman Oval. Both teams were awarded 1 point each because of the result.

India won the toss and elected to field. Sri Lanka had set the target of 358 with the loss of eight wickets in 40 overs.

For Sri Lanka, Suranga Sampath scored 68 runs and KA Silva 64. At the end of 15 overs, Sri Lanka were going along nicely and had reached 121 for the loss of one wicket.

India began well in the chase thanks to Malik.

He batted through the innings, and the team chased the target in 32 overs with the loss of four wickets. Skipper Ajay Reddy scored nine runs and Prakash Jayaramiah scored 76. Malik was named Man of the Match.

India’s blind cricket team is two-time World Cup champions, 2014 ODI World Cup and 2016 Asia Cup winners, yet is languishing without funds and support.

Unlike its counterparts in Pakistan, England and Australia, the blind cricket team in cricket crazy India is not affiliated to the national cricket governing body, the BCCI. Instead, it is administered by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI).

(With inputs from PTI.)

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