Alam, Qureshi crack ton as Pakistan win over England

Dubai: Pakistan's Major Husnain Alam and Matloob Qureshi cracked centuries to steer their country to an exciting 79-runs victory over England in the first One-day match of the three match International Physical Disability Series being held at the International Cricket Council Global Cricket Academy Oval ground.

Alam, who lost his left foot in a mine blast, cracked 136 runs off just 105 balls with 19 boundaries and one six while Qureshi whose right hand had to be amputed following a road accident hit an unbeaten 113 runs off 110 balls with 12 boundaries.

Together they put on 233 runs for the second wicket after Pakistan opener Altaf Ahmad was trapped leg before by England skipper James Williams for four runs.

It was a spectacular batting display from Pakistan after they won the toss and elected to bat. Pakistan posted a mammoth 285 for 5 in the allotted 40 overs despite Williams trapping two down batsman Rao Javed leg before.

England batsmen took up the challenge and brilliantly chased the total and transformed the match into a memorable contest. Showing no signs of nervousness and playing positive cricket, England openers Gordan Laidlaw and 16-year-old Callum Flynn put on 72 runs for the opening wicket.

Mohammad Kalam, whose right foot was amputed following a road accident, trapped Laidlaw leg before for 23. Flynn too fell leg before to left-arm spinner Fayyaz Ahmed for 32. Two wickets down for 74, Shaun Rigby hit 28 runs along with Sam Wyles (11) to see England total past the 100 run mark. Amer Ahmed put the brakes on England trapping Rigby leg before and also getting skipper Williams stumped by wicketkeeper Danish Ahmed for 15.

England still refused to give up and chased through Mathew Askin, who hit an unbeaten 30, and Liam Thomas who remained unconquered on 23. Though they put on an unbeaten 47 runs for the seventh wicket, England were restricted to 206 for 6.

Though it was disappointing for England to lose despite the hard chase, England and Wales Cricket Board National Disability Manager Ian Martin said they are raring to come back and win the second One-day on Friday. "It's quite phenomenal and we'd expected some heads to drop but that's not been the case. The atmosphere around the group even after the loss is remarkable. The players are bouncing off each other, there are some strong characters in there and they were all buzzing."