KATHMANDU, Jan 25: Cricket Association of Blind (CAB) Nepal, organized a farewell function for national women’s blind cricket team that is scheduled to leave for Pakistan on Saturday to play a five-match series.
This will be the first official international tour for the team as it will play the series from January 26 to February 6.
In 2006, Nepal became the first team to form a blind women’s cricket team. Nepal had defeated the Britain’s team 3-0 in its three-match series in 2014.
The unseen side of cricket
However, the tour for Pakistan will be the team’s first official international tour.
In a farewell program organized in Kathmandu on Thursday, the association’s President Pawan Ghimire said that the team is eager to create history by winning the first international series against Pakistan.
“When we formed the national women’s blind cricket team in 2006, even the men’s blind cricket team was not strong. We were under pressure to improve the men’s team first instead of forming women’s team,’’ Ghimire said, “The women were ill-treated even by their families and the society for being blind. But, now they have made the country proud in international blind cricket.” “No matter which sports you play, no matter who the player is playing in international level, we all have to make the country proud and wave the Nepali flag in international level,” said Ghimire. “The women’s blind cricket team has already proved itself and we are hopeful that the team will carry on the same momentum.’’
On the same occasion, National Sports Council (NSC) Vice-President Pitambar Timalsina said that even though the assistance and sponsorship for women’s blind cricket team has not been enough because of the irregularities in the NSC, the council will increase financial assistance in the coming days.
Bhagwati Bhattarai will lead the 14-member Nepali side with the team being coached by Rijan Praju.
Squad: Bhagwati Bhattarai, Sushma Tamang, Mankesi Chaudhary, Bhagwati Amgai, Aasha Regmi, Aashika Dagaura, Geeta Paudel, Binita Pun, Hita Gurung, Muna Aryal, Rita Devi Thapa, Sareeta Ghimire, Bimala Rai, Aayushma Chhetri, Bhuma Kharel.
