Holders India spank Bangladesh in T20 Blind WC

Defending champions India thrashed Bangladesh by 129 runs in the opening match of the T20 cricket World Cup for the blind, here on Monday.

Electing to bat after winning the toss, India posted a mammoth 279 runs for the loss of just five wickets. Openers Prakash J (96) and Ketan Patel (98) smashed quick half-centuries for India. In reply, Bangladesh could only muster 150 runs for the loss of seven wickets.

In the second game of the opening day, arch-rivals Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 10 wickets. Invited to bat, New Zealand scored meagre 112 runs from their 20 overs, a target which Pakistan overwhelmed with consummate ease, reaching 117 in jut 7.2 overs.

Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed and extended best wishes to all the teams participating in the T20 World Cup for the blind and said it will popularise cricket among the visually-handicapped.