AP is National blind cricket champ

Andhra Pradesh has emerged champions of the 21st National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind on Sunday. The team crushed Odisha by eight wickets and chased down the target of 146 in just 16.5 overs.

The tournament was staged at Gymkhana Grounds and CNR Gardens in Hyderabad from April 30. 140 players from eight teams across the country participated in the tournament. Andhra Pradesh got a defining start by winning the toss and put Odisha to bat. Despite the efforts of Punkaj Bhue, who scored 62 in 60 balls, Odisha was restricted to 145 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.

AP’s D Venkateshwara Rao was the most economical bowler of the match who took three wickets and gave away a miserly 18 runs in the allotted four overs. The chase however didn’t get off to the right start with AP losing two early wickets of Venkateshwara Rao and Naresh. But then a 94-run partnership between Ajay Reddy and Durga Rao put Andhra Pradesh in the driver’s seat and the team eventually won the match 19 balls to spare.

Durga Rao was announced the man of the match while Jishan Hyder of Uttar Pradesh was crowned man of the series. Additional DGP (Law and Order) Sudeep Lakhtakia and A Saibaba Goud, founder chairman, Devnar Foundation for the Blind, gave away the Director General of Police Cup to the winners. The other participating teams were given trophies and certificates of commendation.

Eliciting his views on the tournament Saibaba said, “It is splendid to see specially-abled bankers, financial planners, executives, attorneys, teachers, scientists, politicians, entrepreneurs, factory and porters join hands and play. People with visual impairments make meaningful contributions to the society and will continue to excel.” Prominent people who witnessed the match include philanthropist Dr A Ashokan, Delhi Public School chairman Komaraiah and executive committee member of Hyderabad Cricket Academy Adan Mehmood.

By Ch Saibaba