Historic first-ever international disability T20 cricket set to begin

All eyes are now on disability cricket, as Bangladesh is set to create a history by hosting the first-ever international Twenty20 tournament of physically challenged people.

The hosts will face England in the opening match on Wednesday after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurates the event at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the organiser of the tournament, says the initiative is intended to highlight the plight of the physically challenged for their better social integration.

But it means more than that to those who work with disabilities in Bangladesh.

“It is the celebration of (their) disability,” Dr Nafeesur Rahman, director of the National Forum of Organisations Working with the Disabled, a network of 400 organisations, told bdnews24.com.

“It’s a huge confidence-building measure,” believes Md Shafiq-ul Islam, executive director of the decades-old Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), which was involved in the formation of the Bangladesh team.

It is estimated that at least 10 percent of Bangladesh’s total population – or about 16 million people - has some kind of disability, a number that is more than the population of many European countries.

According to the CRP, unsafe working condition-led disability -- like climbing tree without any safety measures and then falling from it -- is the leading cause of physical disability in Bangladesh. 
It is closely followed by road traffic accident.

The government enacted a disability act in 2013 to ensure the rights of disabled people in every sector, though rules for its enforcement are not yet in place.

Services for them are still “inadequate”.

“But we are observing a positive trend over the years,” said Dr Rahman of the National Forum. “We can say a big change has already started occurring. Only better days are ahead.”

“Once implemented, the disability act will bring about a lot of change,” he said.

“Perceptions are also changing. More parents are coming forward with their children with disabilities. We can feel that they have frustration. But they are not hiding the condition of their children.”

The ICRC says that when they held a talent-hunt camp to form the Bangladesh team, an overwhelming 149 people with disabilities took part. Of them, 20 were selected to make a team.

“Generally, cricket means you have to be physically very fit. But they shown that they can play the same game with their disabilities,” said Dr Rahman.

“Cricket is very popular among us, so this tournament will serve as a huge tool for social inclusion,” he said, congratulating the Bangladesh team on behalf of the National Forum.

The CRP executive director said the players would be able “to show their skills and potentials and that they are not lagging behind when it comes to contributing to the nation building”.

“This (feeling) will definitely boost their confidence,” he said.

“At the same time, it’ll set a stage for future actions for the cause of disabilities. The whole issue will draw serious attention through cricket,” he said.

Afghanistan, India and Pakistan are the other participants in the nine-day tournament, matches of which will be played at BKSP, in Savar, after the inaugural.

Bangladesh national cricket team captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is the tournament’s brand ambassador. ​bdnews24.com, Bangladesh’s first internet newspaper, is the event’s media partner.

Date	Match	Time	Venue
Sep 2, Wednesday	Bangladesh-England	11am	SBNCS
Sep 3, Thursday	Pakistan-Afghanistan	9:30am	BKSP-3
Sep 3, Thursday	India-England	1:30pm	BKSP-4
Sep 4, Friday	India-Afghanistan	9:30am	BKSP-3
Sep 4, Friday	Bangladesh-Pakistan	1:30pm	BKSP-4
Sep 6, Sunday	Bangladesh Afghanistan	9:30am	BKSP-3
Sep 6. Sunday	India-Pakistan	1:30pm	BKSP-4
Sep 7, Monday	Pakistan-England	9:30am	BKSP-3
Sep 7, Monday	Bangladesh-India	1:30pm	BKSP-4
Sep 8, Tuesday	England-Afghanistan	9:30am	BKSP-3
Sep 10, Thursday	Final	9:30am	BKSP-4