England clinched the five-nation ICRC Twenty20 tournament for the physically challenged people after defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in the final at the BKSP on Thursday.
After scoring 175-4, the highest score of the tournament, England restricted Pakistan to 156-7 to seal the first ever tournament of such kind.English openers made a blazing start by adding 80 runs from 53 balls before Gordon Laidlan got out for 40 off just 31 balls.
Gordon’s opening partner Alex Hammond made 30 before Callum Flynn, who was not out with a swashbuckling 45 off just 29 balls, provided England a late impetus to take them towards the comprehensive score.
Jahan Zaib Tiwana, Abdullah Ejaj and Fayyaz Ahmed got one wicket apiece for Pakistan.
In reply, Pakistan made a good start reaching 39 from 4.5 overs through the opening stand before losing four quick wickets that suddenly left them reeling at 67-4.
Fred Bridges, who provided the breakthrough dismissing Hasnain Alam, picked up two wickets in his first spell before grabbing another couple in his final spell to finish with an impressive 4-24.
Fred was adjudged man-of-the-final for his brilliant bowling performance.
Pakistan hopes evaporated with the run out of Rehan Ghani, who departed for 36 with the Asian side still needing 68 runs from 32 balls. .
Bangladesh took the third position of the tournament by winning two of their four group stage matches in the week-long tournament where India and Afghanistan were the other participants.
Brief Scores
England v Pakistan
England 175-4 in 20 overs (Callum Flynn 42, Gordon Laidlan 40, Alex Hammond 30; Jahan Zaib Tiwana 1-21) v Pakistan 156-7 in 20 overs ( Rehan Ghani 36, Hasnain Alam 26,Nihar Alam 26;Fred Bridges 4-24)
Result: England beat Pakistan by 19 runs.
-With New Age input
