by: Muhammad Nizam Karachi (Sports Reporter): The inaugural day of the Shahid Afridi Foundation National Physical Disability T20 Cricket Championship witnessed victories for the teams of Multan and Quetta, marking an exhilarating start to the tournament. Hosted at the Rashid Latif Academy in collaboration with the Shahid Afridi Foundation and the Pakistan Physical Disability Cricket Association, the championship showcased the resilience and skill of physically challenged cricketers.
In a thrilling showdown, the Karachi team faced off against Quetta in the first match of the day. Despite a valiant effort, Karachi was dismissed after scoring 105 runs in 19.5 overs, with Khurshid Ali leading the charge with a spirited 32 runs. Quetta’s bowlers put up a formidable display, with Ali Gajzai claiming three crucial wickets. In response, Quetta chased down the target with ease, thanks to Nusratullah’s stellar half-century, securing victory with seven wickets in hand. Nusratullah’s outstanding performance earned him the player of the match accolade.
In the second match, Hyderabad encountered Multan, but struggled to post a competitive total, managing 97 runs in 19 overs. Despite efforts from Babar Ali and Ranjan Ali, Multan’s bowlers, led by Zubair Saleem, restricted Hyderabad’s batting lineup. Chasing the target, Multan showcased a dominant display, cruising to victory with ten wickets in hand. Zaman Khan’s explosive innings of 63 runs, supported by Muzat Qureshi’s solid contribution, sealed the win for Multan. Zaman Khan was rightfully awarded the player of the match title for his outstanding performance.
The matches were graced by the presence of esteemed guests, including Senior Journalist Anisur Rehman and Mazhar Awan, President of RCA Karachi Zone Seven, who presented the player of the match awards to Nusratullah and Zaman Khan, respectively. Notable personalities such as Quetta Gladiators Manager Azam Khan, Tournament Director Amiruddin Ansari, and Head of Multan Bahawalpur Region Jameel Kamran were also in attendance, adding to the excitement of the event.
Looking ahead, the championship promises more riveting matches as Hyderabad clashes with Quetta in the morning fixture, followed by a face-off between Karachi and Multan in the afternoon. With teams gearing up for further action, spectators can anticipate more thrilling encounters as the SAF National Physical Disability T20 Cricket Championship unfolds.
