Pakistan stop England in disability Twenty20 match

Record exciting 14 runs in a battle defying odds

Dubai: Defying all odds and disabilities Pakistan and England produced exhilarating cricket at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Global Cricket Academy ground on Saturday evening.

Through a well fought contest, Pakistan beat England by 14 runs in the first international physical disability Twenty20 cricket series match.

It was cricket with a difference as players with various disabilities displayed their talents to produced thrilling cricket. Pakistan skipper Salim Karim, whose right leg withered from polio and his left leg damaged in an accident won the toss and elected to bat.

Openers Altaf Ahmed and one-handed Matloob Qureshi put on 26 runs for the opening wicket. Shaun Rigby, who celebrated his 24th birthday during the match, removed both the openers but Pakistan's wicketkeeper Danish Ahmed cracked 42 runs with support from Jahanzaib Tiwani (16) and Hasnain Alam (11).

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England skipper James Williams produced two brilliant run outs to restrict Pakistan to 120 for 8 in 20 overs.

England got off to a great start with openers Gordon Laidlaw and 16-year-old Callum Flynn, who had a replacement knee following a battle with bone cancer, putting on 44 runs in six overs before left-arm spinner Fayyaz Ahmed struck vital bowls to dismiss Flynn (20) and one down Matthew Parington for 6. Skipper Williams hit a defiant 20 before being stumped by Danish Ahmed

After Abdullah trapped Laidlaw leg before for 31, Tiwana picked three quick wickets for 14 runs. Ahmed taking two tailenders' wickets returned with figures of 4 for 12 runs to restrict England to 106 all out and also bag the man of the match award.

Umpire Razzaq Shah, who officiated the match with Fidel Jarry, said: "Bowling and batting with just one arm and one leg they produced unbelievable skills. It was a delight to watch Pakistan opener Qureshi bat with one hand and take catches."

Pakistan and England is scheduled to play their second T20 match late on Sunday and will be involved in three 40-over ODIs on February 14, 17 and 19.

Amiruddin Ansari, the secretary of the Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association (PDCA), is hoping that this series would be a landmark and attract countries like Australia, India and Sri Lanka.

"We want to stage a World Cup for disabled cricketers, so for that we need the support of other countries and I hope in the next couple of years more and more countries will come to play this brand of the game," said Ansari, who was a former Pakistan first class cricketer.