KARACHI: A historic disabled cricket series between Pakistan and England will be played in 2012, the Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association (PDCA) announced here on Thursday.

“The series comprising three One-day Internationals and two T20 games was finalised during a meeting with ECB official Ian Martin at ICC Headquarter recently,” PDCA Secretary Amiruddin Ansari told a news conference at Karachi Press Club here.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, who was also present on the occasion, has been named as PDCA's Roving Ambassador. “The appointment of Rashid Latif as disabled cricket team's roving ambassador will help in boosting the game,” Ansari said.

He said dates and venues for the series will be decided later.

Amiruddin said during the meeting with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Disabled Secretary Ian Martin, it was agreed that an International Disabled Cricket Association should be formed.

Speaking on the occasion, Rashid said he had accepted to become the Roving Ambassador for disable cricketers because he was greatly impressed with the performance and working of the association over the past few years.

Rashid commended the services of Salim Karim in forming, promoting and supporting the cause of special cricketers. He recalled that Pakistan's disabled cricketers have already made their mark at international level with fine showing on the maiden trip to Malaysia and Singapore.

“The way the PDCA has worked with dedication, it is now also being recognised by an international body like the ICC,” he commented.

“Despite their physical handicaps they have shown remarkable skill and talent. I will help them to polish their skill and improve their game further Inshallah.”

Rashid added that with a qualified coach like Umar Rashid he was launching a research on the development of disabled cricket in Pakistan. “I will develop special training for the disabled cricketers to remove their sense of deprivation,” he said.—APP