England and Pakistan physical disability sides prepare to go head-to-head
The Pakistan and England physical disability cricket teams are all set to renew their rivalry at Dubai Sports City later this month. The teams played the first-ever international series between two sides of physically disabled players where both are recognised and endorsed by the governing body of cricket in their countries at the ICC Academy in 2012.
And now they will meet again, in three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) at the same venue.
The series gets underway with T20Is on the morning and afternoon of Friday 21 March, with the third and final match of that T20I series being played under lights the following day.
The ODIs, all of which are 40 overs per side, will be played as day-night matches on Monday 24, Thursday 27 and Saturday 29 March.
Two years ago Pakistan came out on top, winning a three-match ODI series 2-1 and also securing a 2-0 success in the T20Is.
The matches continue Dubai Sports City’s biggest ever season of cricket after 15 days of Test, ODI and T20I action involving the Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka senior teams, as well as the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier and the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
Ian Martin, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Head of Disability Cricket, said the England squad that is set to arrive in the UAE next week is determined to gain some revenge for the losses in 2012. He said:
“We are very much looking forward to testing ourselves against a very talented Pakistan side. We have worked hard since the last series and will be looking to improve on our performances from 2012. The facilities at the ICC Academy and Dubai Sports City are second to none and I know they will provide the perfect setting for inspirational performances from extraordinary cricketers from both England and Pakistan.”
All matches are free entry and Ian added the action would be well worth watching. He continued:
“The standard of cricket will be good and the matches will be fiercely competitive as you would expect. I would encourage all cricket lovers in Dubai to come down and take the opportunity to watch the games. I know the players will appreciate the support and fans will not be disappointed.”
Among the stars of 2012 was Pakistan opener Matloob Qureshi, who dazzled with a breath-taking display of strokeplay despite having only one hand.
And fast bowler Farhan Saeed bowled superbly despite having to do so using a crutch after having his left leg amputated due to polio.
England were led by all-rounder James Williams, who played a crucial role with bat and ball in his side’s solitary win two years ago, and he will once again take charge of the team at the ICC Academy.
During that previous series the players interacted with the Pakistan and England senior teams who were playing against each other in the UAE at the same time, and Stuart Broad, Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal were amongst those left stunned by the outstanding skills on show.
Last year England’s physical disability side played against opposition without disabilities, including a British Army XI and the ECB Women’s Academy, and also spent time in a team-building camp in mountains in Wales led by ex-Special Forces soldiers.
Looking ahead to the England – Pakistan physical disability cricket series, Dubai Sports City General Manager – Sport Business Maqbul Dudhia said:
“Dubai Sports City and the ICC Academy is delighted to again be hosting the England and Pakistan physical disability squads for an international series. The quality of the cricket two years ago was breathtaking and we look forward to more of the same this time around. The fact that four of the matches are day-night with the other two being staged on a Friday means there is every chance for people to come along and watch. And with the new F29 bus service from the Mall of the Emirates now in operation, Dubai Sports City is easily accessible to people even without their own transport."
He added:
“This series is just the latest action in what has been a superb season of cricket at Dubai Sports City and we look forward to it proving to be a great spectacle"
Dubai Sports City (DSC) is a 50-million square feet mixed use development that will be the world’s first integrated purpose-built sports city. The development is being built around five major sports venues and features a series of major sports academy facilities.
