Asia Cup for physically challenged

A 27-member physically challenged Bangladesh cricket team will leave tomorrow for India to take part in the Asia Cup Physically Challenged Cricket Championship involving India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

The five-nation championship will take place in Agra, Firozabad, Ranchi, and Sirsa; with Bangladesh playing against India (Feb 4), Afghanistan (Feb 6), Pakistan (Feb 7) and Sri Lanka (Feb 9), said Dr Sheikh Abdus Salam, the president of Bangladesh Cricket Association for the Physically Challenged Cricket at a press conference yesterday.

Dhaka University vice chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddque was present at the occasion.


Source:  The Daily Star, 1st feb 2015 

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New journey for disabled cricketers

The national disabled cricket team pose for photographs after their last practice session, on the eve of their departure for India, at the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club ground yesterday 

Cricket in our country is all set to see the beginning of a new chapter. While the whole nation is gripped with the ICC World Cup fever, the Bangladesh Physically Challenged cricket team will depart for India tomorrow to participate in the five-nation Physically Challenged Asian Cricket Championship. This will be the maiden official tour of the side since the formation of Cricket Association for Physically Challenged Bangladesh (CAPCB) a year ago.

In a press conference yesterday held at Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, CAPCB president Sheikh Abdus Salam said the association was boosted with the win in the three-match Twenty20 series against India.

“Following the success, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina aided the association. Akram (Khan) bhai has been always with us and there are many sponsors who stood by our side and the result of such positives is now we are a proper association and we have being able to take care of our team well,” said Salam.

The CAPCB president informed the Bangladesh side received the invitation for the Asian Championship by the Disabled Cricket Society in October last year. Following the invitation, talent-hunt programmes were organised in Rajshahi, Natore, Bogra and Sirajganj. Several matches were played across different venues amongst the selected ones from the programme and eventually 20 players were selected for the squad. A runner and a coach were also added to the team.

During the side’s tour of India, CAPCB high-ups will meet officials of the International Cricket Association for the Physically Challenged (ICAPC) and Asian Cricket Association for the Physically Challenged (ACAPC) in order to strengthen ties.    

During their 12-day tour of India, Bangladesh will play four T20 matches. The side will begin their campaign against hosts India in Ranchi on February 4 before taking on Afghanistan and Pakistan on February 6 and 7 respectively in Agra. In their last game the physically disabled cricketers from Bangladesh will lock horns with Sri Lanka on February 8 in Firozabad.

The final of the tournament will be held at Agra Stadium on February 9.

Dhaka University vice-chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Bangladesh Cricket Board director and former national captain Akram Khan, CAPCB advisor Hafizur Rahman and CAPCB general secretary Maksurdur Rahman were present during the press conference.

Source: Dhaka Tribune, 1st feb 2015