When the Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association was invited by England, the birthplace of cricket, to play a three-nation Disabled Cricket Series in 2018, PDCA officials were overjoyed. When it happened to the cricketers, they were not overjoyed. I have no hesitation in writing that the PDCA not only prepared Kaplan to participate in this series but also started the preparations for this memorable event with the determination to win the series to commemorate the first tour of England. The PDCA already had a pool of the best players, a training camp was announced for new and emerging players and the cricketers underwent rigorous training. The experienced PDCA coaches kept the atmosphere of the training camp warm, keeping in mind the weather and conditions in England. The series was attended by Pakistan as well as hosts England and Bangladesh.
While preparations for the series were underway, nationally disabled cricketers from far-flung parts of Pakistan would talk to each other about England, including the previous tours of Pakistan’s normal cricket team. From the grounds, the weather there, the playing conditions there, the swing of the ball, the tours of Pakistan in 1987 and 1992 and 1996 and the performances of Pakistan, from Fazal Mehmood to Wasim Akram. Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed’s interesting stories and stories about bowling were heard and heard, Pakistan Disabled team coaches tell the players about the wickets there, how and how much the ball spins, what should be the batting stance? Disabled What are the things that are harmful to batsmen and bowlers in England and under what circumstances can our batsmen benefit? The point is that every moment and every hour in the camp, there was talk of “playing cricket” in England.
The Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association was also well aware of the importance of this series, which is why it ran so hard from the preparation of the series, from the formation of the disabled team to their travel expenses. Day and night made one. Travelers to Europe are well aware of the steps ordinary people have to go through to obtain travel documents in England. I am proud to write that the PDCA has worked hard for the visas of its disabled cricketers to complete the paperwork and the friendly attitude towards the disabled cricketers in obtaining visas. Explain and explain the problems related to and work from them, that is its specialty. It is also a fact that the memories of the cricketers who have toured England with the Pakistan Disabled Cricket Team have become an invaluable treasure of their lives.
Finally, the day came when the national cricketers were at the Karachi International Airport to fly to England. Not only every player but also every official in the team was not happy to wear Pakistan’s glorious green blazer. Every cricketer in the national disabled cricket team from remote areas of Pakistan considered himself the pride, honor and pride of Pakistan. Everybody in the airport grounds when they saw these disabled cricketers wearing Pakistani blazers, their eyes sparkled and their hearts felt proud that these people were going to England as ambassadors of Pakistan, success kissed their steps. ۔
Karachi media was also present at the airport on the occasion of the departure of the national disabled cricket team to England and this team was also being dismissed in the same way as Pakistan’s cricket and hockey teams are being dismissed for a big event. A large number of the players’ families were also present on the occasion and were proud to see their beloved son on his way to represent Pakistan, which they may never have seen or thought of in their childhood. That this disabled son of his will one day emerge as a symbol of pride not only for Pakistan but also for his family and he will wear the green blazer of Pakistan. (to be continued )
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.