Karachi (Sports Reporter) – The much-anticipated PD Quadrangular T20 Cricket Tournament, organized by the Pakistan Physical Disability Cricket Association (PPDCA), commenced at the Rashid Latif Cricket Academy Ground, Gulberg, with Punjab and Balochistan securing victories over Sindh and KPK, respectively, on the opening day.
In the first match, Punjab defeated Sindh by 15 runs in a closely contested game. Batting first, the Punjab PD team posted a solid total of 160 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Jahanzeb Tawana played a stellar innings, scoring 43 runs off 31 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes. Huzaifa Khan supported with an impressive knock of 33 runs off 31 balls. Sindh’s bowlers, Muhammad Anis and Ali Achar, claimed 2 wickets each.
In response, Sindh PD fell short, managing only 145 runs in 20 overs. Asif stood out with a valiant 46 runs off 27 balls, hitting 2 fours, while Frosh Khan and Bilal Azeem contributed 25 and 24 runs, respectively. Punjab’s bowlers, Captain Abdullah Ijaz and Wasim Mirza, delivered match-winning performances, taking 3 wickets each, conceding just 16 and 34 runs. Jahanzeb Tawana was declared Man of the Match for his excellent batting display.
The second match of the day saw Balochistan overpower KPK by 29 runs. Batting first, Balochistan scored 128 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Muhammad Zaman led the charge with a fine 36 runs, hitting 5 fours, while Adil Ali contributed 22 runs. KPK’s leg-spinner Tanveer produced a sensational bowling performance, taking 5 wickets for just 20 runs, with Ali Bakhsh chipping in with 2 wickets.
KPK’s chase fell apart as they were bowled out for 99 runs in 19 overs. Arbab Shakir top-scored with 22 runs. Balochistan’s Waqif Shah and Tanveer dominated with the ball, taking 2 wickets each. Tanveer’s outstanding 5-wicket haul earned him the Man of the Match award.
The tournament’s opening ceremony was graced by special guests President All Pakistan Car Dealers Association, Choudhary Amir Ali, and CEO Broadways Property, Muhammad Usman Fayyaz. Both lauded the efforts of PPDCA General Secretary Amiruddin Ansari in promoting cricket for players with physical disabilities and pledged their continued support for the cause.
Prominent attendees included PPDCA President Imran Balwani, Regional PAD Jamil Kamran, PCB Coach Asim Rizvi, and others. The tournament promises to deliver more exciting matches in the coming days, celebrating the spirit and talent of differently-abled athletes.
