Blind Cricket World Cup: India beat Pakistan by 2 wickets to retain title

India beat Pakistan by 2 wickets to win the fifth edition of Blind Cricket World Cup at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE on Saturday.

Chasing 309 for victory, India rode on Sunil Ramesh's fine 93 and captain Ajay Reddy's 63 as they overhauled the total with more than one over to go. India successfully defended the coveted title and lifted the title for the second consecutive time. 

Ramesh blasted a scintillating 93 runs in 67 balls and skipper Ajay Reddy scored 62 in 60 balls as India retained the trophy that they had won in 2014 after beating the same opponents at Cape Town, South Africa. Chasing the target, Prakash and Venkatesh opened in grand style and gave a flying start. They managed the scoring rate at 10 per over. Venkatesh scored 35 in 32 balls, while Prakash scored 44 in 42 balls.

India suffered a some nervous moments after they lost some quick wickets in the final overs but they kept their nerves to clinch the win. Pakistan claimed three successive wickets to gain an upper hand. However, a wide delivery rolled on to the boundary and the pendulum swung back in India's favour.

Moments of tear and joy. This is what defines a sportsman!!#worldchampions #TheOtherMenInBlue #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/d8iCUBeOxr

— Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) (@blind_cricket) January 20, 2018

Earlier, riding on Badar Munir's fine half-century, Pakistan set India a big target of 308. 

Riyasat Khan and skipper Nisar Ali also played solid knocks of 48 and 47 respectively to take Pakistan total past 300 after they were put into bat by India. Pakistan reached 200-run mark in 27 overs after losing five wickets.

For India, Deepak Malik and Rambir took two wickets, while Sunil Ramesh snapped one.

Defending champions India had defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in their group match.

Pakistan made it to the final after defeating Sri Lanka by 156 runs while India beat Bangladesh by seven wickets to book their place in the final. India remained unbeaten in this tournament.

PM Narendra Modi, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu and others congratulated the Indian team on the victory.

Congratulations to our cricket team for winning the 2018 Blind Cricket World Cup! They make the nation proud and inspire every Indian with their game as well as phenomenal attitude. True champions!

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2018

Congratulations to visually challenged Indian cricket team for winning World Cup cricket for the Blind. You made the nation proud and are an inspiration for all of us. pic.twitter.com/ItvrRHPQ2K

— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) January 20, 2018

Congratulations to visually impaired Indian cricket team for winning World Cup cricket for the Blind. We are all so proud.U inspire us all

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 20, 2018