BHUBANESWAR 20-Jan-2018
Team India, featuring Odisha duo Mohammad Jafar Iqbal and Pankaj Bhue, retained the title in ODI Cricket World Cup for the Blind, defeating Pakistan by two wickets in the final of the fifth edition at Sharjah in United Arab Emirates today. India had won the previous edition in 2014.
Six countries participated in the tournament, which was jointly hosted by UAE and Pakistan. Other five were: Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia. India entered the final with a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh. Earlier at the league stage, India won four games in a row after sharing points with Australia in their opening match which was washed out.
Jafar and Bhue got the opportunity to play three matches each at the league stage. Jafar scored 10 runs the only time he batted and picked up a one wicket, conceding 32 runs. Bhue never got the chance to bat, but put up good bowling performance against Bangladesh, taking two wickets for 18 runs.
