Indian blind team ready for English challenge

Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), affiliated to Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and World Blind Cricket (WBC), announced the Indian blind cricket team’s tour to England for a bilateral Series in May. The team will also travel to Bahrain for friendly matches in June. The team will play 3 T-20s and 3 one day international matches from May 24– 31 in England.

The men in blue will then play in Bahrain from June 1-4. The team has been practicing in Valsad, Gujarat since May 18. “The team is well prepared and is in good form. Recent experiences of playing zonals and earlier world cup wins have given us confidence of a win in the series. We have a good coach who has been working hard with us and the boys are very determined,” captain Shekar Nayak said.

Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, general secretary, CABI, said, “The proposed tour is very important as the champions are playing their first international tournament after the world cup victory. This will be a good preparation for the forthcoming second T20 world cup for the blind in 2016. We are going to host it and are hope to organise the tournament in multi cities on a grand scale.

It is a great honour and pleasure that popular Bollywood singer Caralisa Monteiro has agreed to be the brand ambassador for CABI. I am sure her association with us will boost our image and bring lot of support from various quarters including Bollywood.”

Talking about her association Caralisa said, “This is a really special day for me to be a face of CABI. I am feeling proud and honoured to share the stage with these real life champions. I am sure they will repeat the history and will make us all proud again. I humbly appeal all the Indians to once again cheer their heart out for the Men in Blue”.