The PDCA official further pointed out that the International Cricket Council (ICC) was already taking interest in the matches played by physically handicapped people. “During the international T20 tournament in Dhaka earlier this year, former Bangladesh Test batsman Aminul Islam was specially assigned by the ICC to report on the event. Believe me, Aminul was astounded by what he saw and praised the high standard of cricket during the completion,” the spokesman claimed. “In the days ahead, we are optimistic that the ICC will also extend their support since we are planning a World Cup for the cricketers who are physically handicapped. Since its formation, the PDCA has worked tirelessly under guidance of our president Saleem Karim to expand the game, both at national and international levels. Pakistan have done quite well in several international series which proves that we are heading in the right direction,” he He expressed the hope that the coming tournament would attract more spectators to the matches than before. “We have made efforts to organise the national competition in a befitting manner. In the past also, we had spectators at our matches. This time we are hoping that more people will turn up at the ground to encourage the ‘special’ cricketers,” he remarked. “These players are truly remarkable and those who have seen in action in the past will testify how good they are.” Islamabad are making their debut in the forthcoming tournament and have been included in Group C along with Multan and Faisalabad. Holders Lahore, Quetta and Bahawalpur are in Group B with runners-up Karachi, Peshawar and Sialkot in Group A while Rawalpindi, Hyderabad and Sargodha make up Group D. A total of 19 matches are scheduled to be played during the six-day event at three venues UBL Sports Complex, Rashid Latif Cricket Academy (RLCA) Gulberg Ground and National Stadium with four fixtures to be played daily in the preliminary round. Top two teams from each group will go through to the last-eight phase that coincides with the World Disabled Day on December 3. Both the semi-finals will be at the UBL Sports Complex on December 4, while the final at the same venue on December 5 will be live telecast by a private TV channel. Man-of-the-match in each match will get Rs.2,000. In addition Rs.10,000 will be given to the best batsman, bowler, fielder and player of the tournament. Pools: Group A: Karachi, Peshawar, Sialkot Group B: Lahore, Quetta, Bahawalpur Group C: Faisalabad, Multan, Islamabad Group D: Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sargodha