Pak disabled cricketers may tour England

By Ubaid-ur-Rehman Awan

KARACHI: Pakistan disabled cricket team has been invited to play three One Day Internationals and four Twenty20 Internationals in England and the decision in this regard is likely within the next three to four days.

Secretary, Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association (PDCA), Ameeruddin Ansari told awansports.blogspot.com on late Tuesday that David Clayton, Development Manager of an English cricket club, Barnsley, has written letter to PDCA stating that the Pakistani disabled cricketers would be entertained if they are sent to tour England.

As per the letter, Pakistani disabled cricket team may tour England from July 19 to July 31, during which, the English club is seeking to play three ODIs and four T20Is.

It is important to mention here that the former English batsman and current commentator, Geoffrey Boycott, and former ICC umpire Dickie Bird are directors of Barnsley Cricket Club.

Mohammad Nizam, Media Manager and Associate Secretary of the Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association, told awansports.blogspot.com that the Association has not taken any decision with respect to the offer, however, a meeting of the PDCA’s Board of Directors has been called, during which the final decision would be taken.

He further stated that the PDCA also has to think about the air tickets and other expenses therefore it is necessary that all the Directors are on the same page.

Pakistan is the first country in the world which constituted a disabled cricket team and is the only cricket team in the world till to date. PDCA has already organised two National Disable Cricket Championships.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has also got inspiration from the activities of the Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association and is mulling to adopt this new breed of players and is setting up a separate wing for the disable cricket.

Pakistan disabled cricketers already embarked upon their first international tour to Malaysia and Singapore earlier this year where they played a total of six ODIs and T20Is against normal teams, winning three out of them.