Disabled cricketers from England and Pakistan play their first-ever series this month, with organisers hoping the matches can inspire a big future in world disabled cricket.
The three one-day and two Twenty20 match series in the United Arab Emirates coincides with a one-day series between the main cricket teams of the same countries, also being played in the UAE.
Amiruddin Ansari, secretary of the Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association (PDCA), hoped the series would be a landmark.
“Pakistan team will play three 40 overs matches and two Twenty20s at the ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai from February 11 and it is approved by the boards of both the countries,” said Ansari. “We hope it will be a landmark series and will be well received in the world, sending the message that no disability can stop human beings from shining,” said Ansari, a former first class cricketer.
Pakistan is led by Salim Karim, whose right leg withered from polio while his left was damaged in an accident. Karim assembled the team in 2006 and has since organised three national championships, sparking country-wide interest.
“England have also shown great interest in disabled cricket and we were happy about how they supported our idea,” said Ansari, who hoped other countries like Australia, India and Sri Lanka would follow suit.
“We want to stage a World Cup for disabled cricketers, so for that we need the support of other countries and I hope in the next couple of years more and more countries will come to play this brand of the game,” said Ansari.