NEW DELHI: India on Sunday claimed the inaugural T20 Blind Women’s World Cup title after a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Nepal in the final at the P Sara Oval.

Opting to bowl first, India restricted Nepal to a modest 114 for 5. The Nepali batters struggled to find momentum, managing just a single boundary in their innings. India then chased the target comfortably, reaching 117 for 3 in just 12 overs to secure the championship. Phula Saren played a key role in the run chase, top-scoring with an unbeaten 44.

Earlier in the tournament, India had defeated Australia in the first semifinal, while Nepal earned their place in the final by beating Pakistan in the second semifinal. Co-hosts Sri Lanka had a tough campaign, winning only one of their five preliminary round matches, a victory over the USA.

Pakistan’s Mehreen Ali, classified as a B3 or partially sighted player, was the standout batter of the tournament. She amassed over 600 runs, including a remarkable 230 off 78 balls against Sri Lanka and 133 against Australia, making her the most prolific scorer of the event.

India’s triumph in the inaugural edition highlights their dominance in the sport and sets a strong benchmark for blind women’s cricket globally. The tournament also showcased emerging talent and competitive spirit across all six participating teams.

(With PTI Inputs)