India thrash New Zealand in Blind World Cup opener

Lahore, Dec 7 (UNI) Riding on hundreds by Shakar Naik and Rajinder Verma, India beat New Zealand by a massive 276 runs in their opening match of the third Blind World Cup in Islamabad.

After torrential rains delayed the start of the tournament by two days, the opening matches were played yesterday.

Batting first, the Indians murdered the Kiwi attack as they piled up 329 in the 18-over-a-side match with Rajinder and Shakar leading the assault. While Rajinder scored 150, Shakar made 100 to guide the Indians to the huge total.

New Zealand, in reply, could manage only 53 in their 18 overs despite losing only two wickets during their innings. The abject surrender by the Kiwis also handed India a bonus point.

In the other match played yesterday, England bet Australia by five wickets in a low-scoring match reduced to 17 overs-a-side owing to bad weather.

Put in to bat, Australia posted 164 for five in innings.

England overhauled the target with five wickets in hand.

Surprisingly all the batsmen in this match lost their wickets by being run out.

Meanwhile, the match between West Indies and Sri Lanka was abandoned and both the sides were awarded two points each.

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