First blind women's T20 cricket World Cup boosts sport

COLOMBO, Nov 23 (AFP): Blind women from India won the world's first T20 cricket championship in Sri Lanka on Sunday, following a tournament seen as pushing the limits of the visually impaired. The Indian women beat Nepal by seven wickets in the final of the inaugural series, which also involved Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the United States.

Adeline Roe, 18, from South Australia said she was thrilled to be part of her nation's first blind cricket team and to have the opportunity to travel and meet fellow sportswomen.

"It's amazing that we've got a blind women's World Cup... It's been a wonderful step forward for all women's blind cricket," Roe told AFP during the final between India and Nepal in Colombo.

"I think this is just showing how good it is for women to participate," she said.

India captain T.C. Deepika won more sporting admiration when she led her team to shake hands with the Pakistan players after winning a league match last week. Tensions off and on the field have been high since a deadly military clash between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May.

India's men refused to shake hands with their Pakistani opponents at the Asia Cup in September and since then neither side has shown signs of making up.