A five-nation international cricket tournament for the physically challenged people commences today in Dhaka with Bangladesh facing England in the opening match.
International Committee of the Red Cross is organising the Twenty20 tournament in association with the ministry of youth and sports, Bangladesh Cricket Board and BKSP.Prime minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the tournament, which also includes physically challenged cricket teams from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The tournament is the first of its kind in the world, Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury told a press conference in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Bangladesh one-day international captain Mashrafee bin Murtaza, who works as the brand ambassador of the tournament, showed his enthusiasm regarding the tournament.
‘I am very excited’ said Mashrafee. ‘This tournament will help us eradicate the difference between the physically challenged and other people. I thank IRC and other organisers for organising such an event,’ he added.
Former Bangladesh captain Aminul Islam will monitor the tournament on behalf of International Cricket Council and is expected to prepare a recommendation for the global oversight body.
Apart from opening match, all other matches of the tournament will be held in BKSP including the final September on 10.
-With New Age input
