Blind T20 World Cup kicks off with glittering opening ceremony in Lahore

The fourth edition of Blind T20 World Cup trophy was unveiled at a grand opening ceremony at the Alhamra Hall in Lahore on Friday.

The six-team event will begin on Saturday (tomorrow) with Pakistan facing South Africa in the opening match in Lahore.

After Indian government did not allow its blind cricket team to tour Pakistan now the event will be contested among two-time runners-up Pakistan, South Africa, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and debutant Afghanistan. India has won all three previous editions of the Blind T20 World Cup.

The first phase of the event will be conducted at the Lahore’s Ghani Institute Cricket Ground while on November 29 the show will be shifted to Multan Cricket Stadium which will host a few league matches and the knock-out stage of the event which Pakistan is hosting for the first time.

The trophy was unveiled by Punjab Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar in the presence of skippers of the competing teams. Nepal did not attend the opening ceremony as they were on the way.

“They [Nepal’s team] are on the way by Wagah border and will soon reach,” Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) chairman Syed Sultan Shah said.

Players from South Africa's team dance during the opening ceremony.Nukta

Also present were the Punjab Sports Secretary Syed Muzaffar Sayyal and DG Sports Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry.

Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that its great opportunity for Pakistan to host the mega event.

“I am thankful to God who has kept Pakistan’s prestige. It’s a great opportunity for us to host the World Cup. I welcome all teams and am thankful that you have given Pakistan an opportunity to host you,” Faisal said.

“Pakistan is always called the land of hospitality. I also extend my gratitude to Sultan Shah and his federation that they have done a great job as it will boost Pakistan’s soft image in the world,” he said.

“Sports unite nations and is a source of love and peace. It bleeds my heart that India is not here. I did not expect that. India, you should think about future,” the minister said.

The PBCC chief Sultan Shah said that they had more challenges but everything went well and they are now going to host the World Cup.

“It would be a milestone for blind cricket history. India refuses to play due to security concerns. Look England recently played Test series in Pakistan and Australia and New Zealand cricket teams also came,” Shah said.

Pakistan backed to do well

Shah also hoped that Pakistan will perform well and will qualify for the final.

Earlier, a jam-packed hall was enthused by fine Kashmiri, Khyber Pakhtuhkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan cultural dance. While melodious Urdu songs from Austria-based Romanian singer Adriana Galani added to the beauty of the ceremony.

Meanwhile, life time achievement awards were presented to Saleem Akbar Qureshi, father of three successful daughters and former Director General Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tariq Mehmood who always supported special athletes during his tenure as top sports official of the province.

A glimpse of the opening ceremony in Lahore.Nukta

India have won all the previous three World Cups which they hosted. Pakistan remained runners-up in the 20112 and 2017 edition. However, Pakistan did not feature in the 2022 edition due to visa issues.

Afghanistan cricket team wicket-keeper batsman Sharafat was confident that his side would make an impressive debut in the event.

“We have worked hard and we have the potential to show to the world that we are capable to play at this level,” Sharafat told Nukta.

Pakistan’s coach Masood Jan said that they have a major chance to win the World Cup.

“We are well-poised inshaAllah, we will win the event,” Masood Jan told this correspondent.

Pakistan underwent vigorous training at Mirpur, Azad Kashmir for a few weeks.

Fixtures

Nov 23: Pakistan v South Africa, Sri Lanka v Nepal; Nov24: Afghanistan v Sri Lanka, Nepal v Bangladesh; Nov 25: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Nepal v Afghanistan; Nov 26: South Africa v Nepal, Pakistan v Bangladesh; Nov 27: South Africa v Sri Lanka, Afghanistan v Bangladesh, Pakistan v Nepal (all at DHA Lahore); Nov 28: Pakistan v Sri Lanka, South Africa v Afghanistan; Nov 30: Pakistan v Afghanistan, South Africa v Bangladesh; Quarters: Dec 1(Q1 v Q4, Q2 v Q3); Dec 3: Final (all at Multan Cricket Stadium)