Aiming to win hearts, Pak blind cricket team arrives

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 28

At a time when India has taken a stand to not play Pakistan in any bilateral series due to cross-border tension, the neighbouring nation’s blind cricket team arrived in India, bringing with it a ray of hope.

The team is here to participate in the T20 World Cup, which is being organised by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI).

A 20-member contingent, consisting of 17 players and five officials of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC), was today received by Punjab Sports Association for Blind president Gurpreet Singh Chahal and general secretary Parminder Singh at the Attari-Wagah joint checkpost.

“We have come to win hearts, leave aside winning or losing,” Abdul Razzak, the coach of the Pakistan team, said before the team left for New Delhi to be part of Sunday’s opening ceremony.

“The bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan have been suspended for long due to cross-border tension. Cricket fans of both countries have been missing out on this intense sports rivalry. I think that we may be fortunate enough to be the first drop of the rain that brings along peace between the two countries,” he added.

PBCC chief Syed Sultan Shah blamed the politicians for the tension. 

“It’s all created by the politicians of both the countries. People of Pakistan want to come to India and I am sure that Indians too want the same,” he said.

Shah said they were “fortunate” enough to not face any visa hiccups.

The T20 World Cup, from January 30 to February 12, will also feature Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka Bangladesh, Nepal and West Indies. Pakistan will play New Zealand in New Delhi on January 30.