Blind T20 World Cup 2017: India secure semi-final berth; defeat Nepal by 152 runs

Blind T20 World Cup 2017: India secure semi-final berth

Andhra Pradesh [India]: Defending champions India continued their winning run in the ongoing T20 World Cup for the Blind by clinching massive 152-run win against lowly Nepal at the Mulapadu cricket Ground on Wednesday. With the win, India registered their eighth victory in the tournament. Opting to bat first, openers Ajay Kumar Reddy (109) and Durga Rao (53) provided their side with a perfect start by sharing a huge 149 run stand for the opening wicket. Blind T20 World Cup 2017: Points table and team standings

While Reddy struck 17 boundaries in his 50-ball innings, Rao also smashed eight boundaries in his half-century before the duo eventually retired hurt. Subsequently, Venkateswara Rao D scored significant 33-ball 82 to help India post a respectable total of 289-1. In reply, Nepal were restricted to 137-5, with Ramesh Bahadur Baniya (35) and Padam Bahadur Badaila (28) contributing the highest runs. For India, Reddy and Md. Jaffar Igbal chipped in with a wicket each.

Earlier, India booked their place in the semi-finals of the tournament after thrashing New Zealand by nine wickets in a match at KIIT Stadium in Bhubaneshwar on Tuesday.  The Blind T20 World Cup 2017 began on January 30. India were the winners of the inaugural season. A total of 48 matches will be played throughout the tournament. The final of the tournament will be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on February 12. For every win, the winner gets three points. Apart from India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies are participating.