ISLAMABAD - Abdul Nabi-led 16-member Afghanistan disabled cricket team reached Karachi Airport Thursday to play the first international disability cricket series against Pakistan commencing from February 22-27 at National Stadium Karachi.
They will play three T20 and two ODIsduring the tour. Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association secretary Amir Uddin Ansari, joint secretary and media manager M Nizam received the team.
Talking to The Nation, Afghan captain Abdul Nabi said: “Disabled cricketers are same like normal players and we will try to beat Pakistan team in the series.”
Afghan manager Abdul Mannan Masood said: “Pakistan is a save country for international teams and we loudly appreciate the efforts of Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association (PDCA) to promote the disabled cricket around the world. Afghan team will net practice today (Friday) at 11am at National Stadium Karachi. Sports Coordinator of Karachi Public School Syed Munir Ali Qadri will be the liaison officer of Afghan team.” Afghan team members are Nabi Ullah (capt), Hasib Ullah (vc), Obaidullah, Khanzada, Jamil khan, Ashraf, Jahan zaib, M. Yousaf, Sangar, M Farid, Sherin, Eidullah, Ikramu llah, M. Nazeef, Shafiq Smim, and Fazal Rehman while Abdul Manan Masood, Sayed Rehman (coach), Jalil Khan (manager) and Irfan Gardiwal (media).
Meanwhile, the PDCA selection committee has announced the two separate Pakistan disabled cricket teams for the series.
T20 squad include Hasnian Alam (capt), Rao Javed (vc), Matloob Qureshi, Arif Richard, Ashfaq Ali, Jahanzaib Tawana, Danish Ahmed (WK), Sadeem Baig (WK), Farhan Saeed, Abdullah Ejaz, Rehan Ghani Mirza, Abdullah, Abdullah Afridi, Fayyaz Ahmed, Ameer Ahmed and Iqbal Hussain.
The ODI squad is Hasnain Alam (capt), Rao Javed (vc), Matloob Qureshi, Altaf Ahmed, Jahanzaib Tawana, Danish Ahmed (WK), Abdullah, Rehan Ghani Mirza, Abdullah Ejaz, Fayyaz Ahmed, Ameer Ahmed, Arif Richard, M Ameer, M Kalam, Umaiz-ur-Rehman and Raja Qaisar. Team management: Sabih Azhar (head coach), Iqbal Imam (asst coach), Tahir Mehmood (fielding coach), Qamber Ali (trainer), Saleem Hussain (Physio), Dr Noman Palikar (team doctor) and Shakir Khilji (team analyst).