India clinched the title of the first-ever Blind Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup by defeating Nepal by 7 wickets, with Nepal finishing as the runner-up.
The final, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, saw India winning the toss and opting to field first, inviting Nepal to bat. Nepal, however, could manage only 114 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing a target of 115, India reached 117 runs in 11.4 overs, losing 3 wickets along the way, securing a comfortable victory. Nepal lost two key wickets early in their innings, with captain Vinita Pun run out for 4 and Mankesi Chaudhary dismissed for 8.
B-1 batter Sushma Tamang scored 6 runs off 24 balls, while Bimala Rai added 26 runs off 26 balls, sharing a 61-run partnership with Sarita Ghimire. Nepal lost their fifth wicket at 95 runs, with Ishara Maya dismissed for a duck. Sarita Ghimire contributed 33 runs off 37 balls, and Vinita Somai added 9 runs.
During India’s chase, openers A. Devi (2) and D. Thimbalhati (7) were run out by Sarita Ghimire. Karuna Kumari scored 42 runs off 27 balls, while Pula Suren added 44 runs off 26 balls and Basanti Hasda contributed 12 runs, guiding India to victory.
Nepal’s squad included Geeta Paudel, Vinita Pun, Vinita Somai, Delhi Sara Dhamala, Devaki Thapa Magar, Angila Dhakal, Mankesi Chaudhary, Kanti Dagaura, Sarita Ghimire, Sunita Bhujel, Sushma Tamang, Punam Chaudhary, Laxmi Tamang, Esra Maya Lungeli Magar, Bimala Rai, and Pratibha Rai.
The team was led by head coach Purnasingh Khatri, assistant coach Narendra Niraula, and team manager Bhagwati Bhattarai Baral. Seven nations, including Nepal, participated in the tournament.
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