Pakistan thrash Aussies in blind World Cup semis

ISLAMABAD—The defending champions Pakistan whipped Australia by ten wickets at F-9 Park on Wednesday to reach the final of 3rd Cricket World Cup for the Blind.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Muhammad Ali Durrani, was the chief guest on the occasion and gave away the prizes. Pakistan shot out Australia for a meagre 99 in 29.3 overs and then got to the victory target of 100 runs in 17.5 overs to emphatically win the first semi-final of the tournament.
Pakistan thus achieved the distinction of making it to the final of all three editions of the Cricket World Cup for the Blind. Deciding to field after winning the toss, Pakistan ran out five Aussie batsmen while Abdur Razzaq and Aamir Ashfaq captured two wickets each for the home side.
For Australia, Nick Hider remained the top-scorer with 28 while Robinson scored 17. Paul Renaki and Kirstenson made 12 runs each. Muhammad Fayyaz hammered 65 not out to play a key role in Pakistan’s victory as the stroke-filled knock also won him the man- of-the-match award.
The other Pakistan opener, Noor Qureshi, contributed a gritty 26 not out . India and England will figure in the second semi-final at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. The final is scheduled for Saturday.—Agencies