Colombo: India lifted the inaugural T20 Blind Women’s World Cup on Sunday, defeating Nepal by seven wickets in a one-sided final at the P Sara Oval in Colombo.

Opting to bowl, India kept Nepal to 114 for 5, controlling the innings so completely that Nepal managed only one boundary. The chase was smooth and assured. India reached 117 for 3 in 12 overs, with Phula Saren anchoring the reply with an unbeaten 44.

India had entered the final after overcoming Australia in the first semifinal. Nepal advanced by beating Pakistan in the second semifinal a day earlier. Hosts Sri Lanka struggled through the group stage, finishing with only one win, against the United States.

The tournament also saw a standout individual performance. Pakistan’s Mehreen Ali, a B3 category player, dominated the batting charts with more than 600 runs. Her tally included a remarkable 230 off 78 balls against Sri Lanka and a 133 against Australia, making her the most prolific batter of the six-team event.

India’s win capped a campaign marked by discipline, clear plans, and control, setting a strong benchmark for future editions of the championship.

The World Blind Cricket Council, based in London, has led the sport since 1996. The men’s format has been around longer, with its first 50-over World Cup in 1998 and the first T20 World Cup in 2012. This year, though, marks a turning point with the debut of the Women’s Blind Cricket World Cup.

India’s women’s programme is still in its early years. The Cricket Association for the Blind in India was formed in 2011, but structured scouting for a women’s side only began in 2019. That effort produced quick results. The team played its first international match in 2023 and went on to win gold at the IBSA World Games in Birmingham later the same year.