KARACHI, Oct 3: After making waves at the quadrennial Special Olympics, Pakistan will make its debut at the inaugural cricket World Cup being held at Mumbai from Nov 6 to 13.

Sixteen teams will vie for honours in the competition which is a new addition for special athletes.

A 10-member Pakistan team will travel to China on Oct 10 to play India in a demonstration event at Shanghai. The maiden visit will also serve as preparation for the next month’s big challenge, chairman, Special Olympics Pakistan, Saeed Ahmed, told Dawn on Tuesday.

He said the Chinese have invited Pakistan and India as they are eager to learn finer points of the game from them.

The World Cup will be preceded by a torch run. The torch will reach Karachi from UAE on Nov 2 or 3 from where it will go to Lahore on its way to India.

Former Test cricketer Wasim Akram, accompanied by coaches and officials will cross the Indian border at Wagah to hand over the torch to Indian delegate.