India are set to take on Pakistan in the Blind Cricket World Cup final in Sharjah on Saturday. It’s a repeat of last edition’s final, where India was triumphant over Pakistan by 5 wickets in Cape Town in 2014.
The defending champions won each and every league match after the game against Australia was called off due to rain in this competition.
India defeated Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal by 6 wickets, 7 wickets, 10 wickets and 8 wickets respectively.
The Men in Blue defeated Bangladesh by 7 wickets in the semi-finals.
Pakistan, on the other hand, lost only one league game, which was against India. Pakistan took down Bangladesh, Nepal, Australia and Sri Lanka by 9 wickets, 9 wickets, 394 runs and 159 runs respectively.
India’s arch-rivals defeated Sri Lanka by 156 runs in the semi-final.
The final of the tournament was supposed to be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. However, it was pre-planned that if India do not get clearance from the the Ministry of External Affairs to play the final in Lahore, then the final will be played in Sharjah.
The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) had asked permission from the Ministry of External Affairs for the Indian team to play the final in Pakistan in October last year, but the board didn’t receive any response.
CABI wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs in October 2017 regarding the permission, but have not got a response.John David, CABI General Secretary
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