KARACHI: Pakistan Blind Cricket Team sealed a comfortable six wickets victory in the third ODI against South African Blind Cricket Team to whitewash the latter in the recently concluded series, here on Thursday.
In the third ODI, Pakistan comfortably chased down 253 in 29 overs with six wickets to spare, thanks to the fifties from the top-order batters Faisal Mehmood (B3), Ahtisham Ul Haq (B2), and Mati Ullah (B2).
Set to chase 253, the openers provided a solid start; putting on an astonishing 120-runs partnership before Faisal and Ahtisham opted to walk back to the pavilion; retiring out for 53 and 51 respectively.
Later, Mati Ullah (B2) and Zafar Iqbal (B1) recorded a solid 98-runs partnership for the third wicket before Mati decided to leave after scoring a quick 64 off a mere 41 balls; smashing nine boundaries and two sixes.
Following his departure, Sphelele Atwell Khalala (B1) managed to make the first scalp for the touring side as Jacobus Kotze (B2) stumped Zafar for 34 in the 28th over. Zafar scored 34 off 53 balls.
Israr Hassan (B3) and M Salman (B1) then steered the side to the victory in 29 overs; putting on an unbeaten 19 runs partnership.
Batting first, the Proteas managed to score 252/7 in the allotted 40 overs as the skipper Isaac Bidla (B2) and Buhle Bhidla (B2) scored half-centuries.
Proteas openers David Landry (B3) and Isaac provided a solid start; putting on a magnificent 104 runs partnership for the first wicket before Landry perished after scoring 39. He faced 46 balls and smashed two boundaries.
Isaac, on the other hand, stood firm and kept the scoreboard ticking as the side lost another wicket as Sergil January (B1) walked back to the pavilion after scoring just two.
Soon after Isaac also perished after scoring 56 off 53 balls; including two boundaries. Following his departure, Lwande Bhidla (B3) and Buhle anchored the innings with a gritty 98-runs partnership for the fourth wicket.
Lwande departed in the 34th over after scoring 28, while Buhle fell short in the 37th over. He top-scored with run-a-ball 63, laced with eight boundaries, while the rest of the batters also made small contributions to take their side to 252/7 in the allotted 40 overs.
For Pakistan, Mati bagged two wickets, while Ahtisham and Israr struck out a batter each.
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