Lahore: Pakistan's champion blind cricket team returned home from India on Monday and said that they were hoping for an 'eye-catching' performance from their sighted countrymen at next year's World Cup.

"Pakistan is one of the best teams in the world and can win the World Cup if they play up to their potential and we wish it all success," captain Abdur Razzaq said. "Pakistan team can surprise any team on their day and are capable of producing an eye-catching show." The blind cricketers returned home on Monday after winning the second World Cup for the Blind in Chennai. They beat India and Australia in the league phase and ousted England in the semi-final before downing South Africa in the final Saturday, avenging their defeat against the South Africans in the first World Cup in 1998. "We have set the example of showing the best team spirit and hope that our national team follow suit and bring the best prize in cricket," Razzaq said. Pakistan's national team is currently playing in South Africa ahead of the World Cup next year. Razzaq advised Pakistani players to boost their intensity level. "The Pakistan team's main problem is lack of team spirit and if they show the best of coordination they can win every match," he said. Razzaq hoped the blind team will get due rewards for bringing home the Cup. "The Pakistan Cricket Board announced Rs. five million ($86,000) for every player if they won the Cup, but we have not yet received any reward." Blind cricket is played using a ball filled with beads, which is bowled under-arm, and of the starting 11 players, four must be totally blind, three must have 20 to 25 per cent vision and four must have 45 to 60 per cent vision.

Extras:
Pakistan beats holder South Africa to win World Cup

Subscribe to Newsletter

Tags: lahore, pakistan, blind cricket team, india, world cup, abdur razzaq, chennai, australia, england, semi-final, south africa, final, lack, team spirit, rewards, pakistan cricket board, $86, 000, totally blind..

E-mail         To the Editor         Print

Post, View comments

User Comments

[ Post Comments ]

   [ Read All Comments ]

Be the first to comment this article.

Report Abuse Please select the reason that best describes your complaint. Post is... Irrelevant Pornographic Spam Using abusive language Using copyrighted material Libelous Enter the code in the box as it is shown below   Security Code : Are you sure that this is an abusive message? Falsely reporting abuse may lead to revocation of your reporting rights