Wheelchair Cricket Team receives boost at Pakistan House ahead of Asia Cup

MM Rahmatullah: The Bangladesh Wheelchair Cricket Team (WCCT) was officially handed specialized cricket wheelchairs at a ceremony held at Pakistan House on Saturday, marking a significant step forward for the development of adaptive sports in the country.The event was attended by officials from the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Physically Challenged Wing, along with prominent members of the national cricket team, including Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad. Welcoming the guests, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, His Excellency Imran Haider, emphasized cricket’s deep-rooted heritage and widespread appeal across all segments of society, including especially abled individuals. He described wheelchair cricket as a powerful and inspiring evolution of the sport, highlighting the courage, resilience, and determination of its players.“Wheelchair cricket provides a platform for athletes not only to showcase their talent but also to challenge societal perceptions,” he said, commending both cricket boards for supporting and nurturing the players’ passion and potential.The High Commissioner also underscored the shared love for cricket between Bangladesh and Pakistan, noting that the sport continues to strengthen ties between the two nations. He observed that recent cricketing engagements have reflected strong sportsmanship and mutual respect, while broader bilateral relations have been expanding through increased cultural exchanges and people-to-people contact.The Bangladesh WCCT is set to compete in the upcoming T20 Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Pakistan later this year. Extending his best wishes, the High Commissioner expressed confidence in the team’s ability to make the nation proud on the international stage. The ceremony concluded with optimism and renewed commitment toward promoting inclusivity in sports, as stakeholders pledged continued support for the growth of wheelchair cricket in Bangladesh.