Iqbal stars once again with the bat in Physical Disability T20 Series

For the second successive match in the Physical Disability T20 Series at the Wankhede Stadium, opener Wasim Iqbal stood out with the bat. Iqbal slammed an unbeaten 85 off just 45 balls to help India Seniors chase down India A’s target of 143.

Iqbal’s fantastic effort was the highlight of the second game of the series on Wednesday. The third and final game of the series will be played on Thursday.

After opting to bat, India A posted a modest 143 for 6 in their 20 overs. Jitendra VN (35 not out) and Akash Patil (37 not out) were the stars with the bat as they added an unbroken 57 runs for the seventh wicket. Both came together with their side in a spot of bother at 86 for six.

From there on, the pair helped end the innings on a high. For India Seniors, the wickets were shared around. In their response, India Seniors chased down the target with absolute ease thanks to Iqbal’s effort. He smashed an unbeaten 85 off just 45 balls, hitting eight boundaries and five sixes. Iqbal shared a fine 50-run opening stand with Vrushant Gunjal (32 off 18 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes). From there on, it was a one-way street.

India Seniors finally chased down the target in 14.5 overs to finish on 144 for three. Looking back on the experience of the two games so far, India A skipper Majid Margray was thrilled to get a chance to play at the Wankhede Stadium. “It has been an excellent experience. It was always a dream to play at the Wankhede Stadium. From the time I entered, it has been a surreal feeling for me and my team. This is the Lord’s of India and a matter of pride for all of us.

To be in the same dressing room where some of our icons and legends of the game have been is a big thing in our lives. All thanks to DCCI and MCA for this initiative. As a group, we have been very excited about the whole experience.

We may have lost both our games, but in terms of preparation for the upcoming series, this is the perfect stage for our young talent. Imagine being at the venue and experiencing the dressing room, outfield and the general atmosphere.

This has been a life-changing experience,” said Margray, an all-rounder from Anantnag in Kashmir. These sentiments were echoed by rival captain Ravindra Sante as well. The Mumbai-based player was over the moon about the experience. “Being from Mumbai, I have played a few times at Wankhede. I played the President’s Cup final with Vikrant Keni. Both of us were the only differently abled players then. I have also had other experiences here, but this is a different feeling altogether.

All thanks to the efforts of DCCI and MCA for giving us this opportunity. I have played in Ahmedabad, Lord’s and Wankhede, and this must be the best feeling for any cricketer.

To be at the same venue where India won the 2011 World Cup is a big step up for all of us. We have had a few youngsters ask a lot of questions about the venue, so I have been advising them about picking the ball up from the background because sometimes, when the ball comes parallel to the ground, you can lose it.

I have advised my boys to be very careful while sighting the ball. We have a series against England next, so this is the perfect build-up,” said Sante, a left-arm spinning all-rounder. Brief scores: India A 143 for 6 in 20 overs (Akash Patil 37 not out, Jitendra VN 35 not out; Vipin 1 for 15, Vikrant Keni 1 for 10, Vikas Yadav 1 for 11, Jaswant Singh 1 for 20) lost to India Seniors 144 for 3 in 14.5 overs (Wasim Iqbal 85 not out, Vrushant Gunjal 32; Santosh Choube 3 for 24) by seven wickets.