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KARACHI: Pakistan’s disabled team have stunned the world with their outstanding performance against England in the recent series, Pakistan Disable Cricket Association (PDCA) president Salim Karim said on Thursday.
“It’s like a dream come true and will set the trend for disabled cricketers coming under the ICC umbrella,” he said upon his return from Dubai where Pakistan clinched the One-day Internationals by 2-1 and the T20 International series 2-0 against a formidable England side.
“It was an amazing experience for the spectators to see Farhan Ahmed bowling with crutches and Matloob Qureshi hitting a century with just one hand,” Salim, who also led the team, said. “The PDCA launched the new brand of disable cricket and now with support from the ECB and ICC we took it to international canvas,” he proudly added.
“We did it and it’s part of history now and we are proud of the achievements of our team,” said Salim who quit international cricket to fully focus on the organisation of disabled cricket.
He also praised the efforts of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) disability manager Ian Martin for making the series a reality. “Martin made a huge contribution in bringing England disable team to Dubai for the historic series,” he complimented.
The PDCA founding president said he was highly touched with the support of ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat who commended the efforts of disabled cricketers and their recent success.
“Lorgat’s comments on disabled cricket are very encouraging and we hope that disabled cricket will spread to other parts of the world very soon,” he observed.
He hoped the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will now come forward to support disabled cricket in Pakistan.
Salim also thanked ABDA chairman Mohsin Sheikhani for coming forward in difficult times to help in funding of the team for their first official tour.—APP
