Captains of five physically challenged T20 teams say they are thrilled with cricket carnival

Everyone of them are gunning for the trophy, but the excitement of being part of a tournament is not less satisfying for the captains of the five teams of physically challenged cricketers.

The first ICRC Cricket Tournament for People with ICRC International Cricket Tournament for People with Physical Disabilities 2015 is starting on Wednesday.

The physically challenged Tigers will take on England at the opener at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The other teams of the T20 tournament are India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

The captains of the five teams came in front of the media at the stadium on Tuesday.

They spoke about their dream to win the trophy, which was unveiled just before their speeches.

Md Alam Khan, the Bangladesh skipper, said he felt good that such a big tournament of physically challenged cricketers was taking place in the country.

“The fact that this is the first of its kind is great.”

He believed those who were “looking at us in a different way will start to think again on seeing us on the field”.

“They will understand that we can do many things for the country. The society will perhaps be with us.”

Khan pointed out that they had three to four months to prepare while their opponents had been playing for a long time.

But he promised to do everything in their powers to win the tournament for the nation.

He hoped Bangladesh will get more physically challenged cricketers if such tournaments were to become a regular event.

“People with disabilities will dream of playing for their country.”

England captain Iain Nairn said all his team members were very excited.

They were grateful to the ICRC, BCB and other related people, he said. The thing that delighted him most since their arrival here was the enthusiasm among all about the disability cricket.

Nairn said they played almost regularly.
 
He is seeing it as an opportunity for all to show the world that physical disabilities failed to impact their capabilities. 

He also said they were looking forward to the first match and wanted to go home with the trophy.

Pakistan skipper Hasnin Alam thanked the ICRC and BCB for organising the tournament. 

He termed the event historic for people with disabilities and a milestone for the disability sports.

He hoped the ICC (International Cricket Council) would take notice of this form of cricket.

Talking about his team, he said they prepared well. They won two series against England and one against Afghanistan. 

Alam hoped to win this tournament, too.

Dinesh Kumar, the Indian team’s captain thanked the ICRC and BCB and hoped such tournaments would be organised in other countries in the future.

He said he did not feel like being abroad, as everyone was cordial and helpful.

Afghanistan’s skipper Mohammad Ashraf said it was a great opportunity and that his team prepared well. 

He expressed gratitude to the coach and officials and hoped that they would be able to give a good fight.