Not everyone knows the art of making their own strength out of their own weakness, an attribute that nature bestows on someone. Only those who are disabled due to some physical defect or disease are more skilled in this skill than a normal healthy person. The important thing is that such people do not give up and get more success by persuading themselves to work harder than normal human beings. One such young cricketer from Karachi is Iqbal Hussain who has a prominent place in Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association. Born with a left hand, Iqbal Hussain is a living example of determination that no one was willing to play cricket with at an early age. The only thing on his mind was that when former Test cricketer Azeem Hafeez like me can play Test cricket for Pakistan despite being disabled with one hand, I can also play good cricket. This led to his obsession and he did not give up hope even after being caught in the whirlpool of failures that he was convinced that he could play very good cricket.
Until a few years ago, Iqbal Hussain begged the local team captains to include me in his team, but due to his physical infirmity No one was willing to feed him cricket but he was discouraged by declaring him disabled. Eventually, after the formation of Orangi Star, its captain Mumtaz Bhai and Sharif Bhai fed him permanently, while Wasim Bhai supported him step by step, for which Iqbal Hussain considers him a benefactor of his cricket.
Playing with normal cricketers, Iqbal Hussain’s spirits soared and he started playing better than before in every match. Gradually, he became indispensable for the Orangi Star. Without him, the team would not be complete. Iqbal Hussain, who studied up to B.Com, says: “My early cricket was frustrating. It helped a lot, but I still think that if there was no disabled cricket in Pakistan, I would have been playing in Orangi Town as a normal cricketer. Iqbal Hussain bowls league spin with his right hand. It is difficult to play his spinning balls.
When disabled cricket started in Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain gave trials for the Karachi team and was selected, after which he gained more confidence. He has done well not only in Karachi but also on the grounds of Lahore and Dubai. Iqbal Hussain has played all the National cricket tournaments and championships of Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association so far. He is well known in Orangi Town Karachi. Despite being disabled, people now respect him for his sport and for representing Pakistan. It is said that no sports function in Orangi Town is complete without the participation of Iqbal Hussain. Iqbal Hussain is very grateful to Saleem Karim, the founder of Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association for this honor.
Iqbal Hussain has also played international cricket for Pakistan. He represented Pakistan against Afghanistan and England and brought success to Pakistan with his spin bowling. “I am proud that I have not lost any of the international matches I have played for Pakistan,” he said. Even at national disabled cricket, Iqbal Hussain’s bowling magic works well and he is called a bowler in a difficult situation. When the balls are high and the score is low, he dominates the opposing team. He also specializes in making breakthroughs during matches. He has won many matches in Karachi at the last minute only because of his meticulous bowling, of which he is rightly proud.
The return home after representing Pakistan against England is the best and happiest memory of Iqbal Hussain’s life. “I wasn’t sure I would be welcomed like that.” Iqbal Hussain said. “I understood that the people who came to Karachi airport to welcome the Pakistan team are just that, although we were well received at the airport, but when I arrived in my area, not only my house but The whole street was decorated, I was loaded with garlands of flowers, and carried home on my shoulders, such a welcome was no less than a surprise to me. I am indebted to PDCA for this honor, who picked up a disabled cricketer from Orangi Town and opened international cricket. For me, it’s still like a dream. “
Iqbal Hussain is working on in Pakistan Post office since 15 years.
The Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association (PDCA) is responsible for the promotion and expansion of the game through its associate and affiliate members throughout the country for all the Physically Disabled Cricketers of the country and PDCA is also recognized by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) who is the governing body of cricket in Pakistan.