by: TN Media News Pakistan:
Karachi (Sports Reporter) Shahid Afridi Foundation National Physical Disability Cricket Championship to Kick Off in Karachi. Karachi is set to host the Shahid Afridi Foundation National Physical Disability Cricket Championship, commencing from Monday. Matches will be held across various cities in Pakistan, showcasing the extraordinary talent of physically disabled cricketers from all corners of the country as they vie for a spot in the national team while representing their respective cities.
The collaboration between the Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) and the Pakistan Physical Disability Cricket Association (PPDCA) underscores a commitment to supporting physically disabled cricketers. SAF CEO Rizwan Ahmed, Interim Chairman of PPDCA Imran Bilwani, General Secretary of PPDCA and Tournament Director Amiruddin Ansari, along with Director of PPDCA Syed Tauseef Shah and Tournament Minute Secretary Muhammad Nizam, shared insights into the upcoming championship during a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club.
Expressing well wishes for the success of the event, the press conference attendees, including a significant number of former cricketers, highlighted the importance of such initiatives in promoting inclusivity in sports. Tournament Director Amiruddin Ansari unveiled a new format for the championship, comprising two grades.
Teams participating in Grade One include representatives from Lahore, Peshawar, Islamabad, Quetta, Hyderabad, Karachi, Bahawalpur, and Multan. Grade Two features teams from Rawalpindi, Abbottabad, Azad Kashmir, KPK Star Larkana, Sialkot, Quetta, Bolan, and Faisalabad. Matches for Grade One will be held in Karachi and Lahore, while Grade Two matches will take place in Faisalabad and Islamabad.
Teams were selected after rigorous trials conducted across 16 regions. The first phase of Grade One matches is scheduled to kick off at Rashid Latif Academy Karachi on Monday, with teams from Multan, Quetta, Hyderabad, and Karachi competing in a single-league format until May 8.
The winning team from the first stage of Grade One will advance to the final, facing off against the winner from the second stage of Grade One in Lahore. Matches involving teams from Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Bahawalpur will be held at Race Course Park Lahore.
Amiruddin Ansari expressed gratitude to the Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their continued support of the National PDT20 Cricket Championship. He also extended thanks to the electronic and print media for their unwavering support and hoped for their continued backing.
The forthcoming championship not only promises thrilling cricket action but also serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of physically disabled cricketers in Pakistan.
