The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium has hosted a number of exciting matches in the past, but the atmosphere at today’s game had a special allure due to the fact that it was the final of the Physically Challenged Cricket Tournament.
The likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal had many awe-inspiring performances at this pitch, and being on the hunting ground of their idols was a valuable memory for the cricket players who have surmounted several obstacles to reach here.
In the championship tournament that took place on Thursday, Bangladesh Cricket Association prevailed against Unisurv Disable Cricket Team of Bangladesh by a score of 53 runs. At the conclusion of the event, BCB president Nazmul Hassan handed out the trophies.
Doprom Potro Nobish, also known as Tirtho, and Mahfuzur Rahman, both of whom won with the Bangladesh Cricket Association side, displayed their abilities throughout the entirety of the event.
The former finished the competition as the player who took the most wickets, while the latter won the award for player of the tournament. Both of these individuals were part of the Bangladesh Cricket Association winning team. When they were children, Shakib was the center of both of their universes.
“My hand got burned when I was three months old, and slowly it became paralyzed,” Mahfuzur, a left-arm spinner, told The Daily Star. “When I was three months old, it became completely immobile.”
In spite of the fact that he bats right-handed, Mahfuzur bowls left-handed. During the competition, he had a batting average of 140 and took 10 wickets with the ball. He started playing cricket after seeing Bangladesh’s star all-rounder play the game.
Everyone competing in the competition has the goal of demonstrating their abilities to the judges in some way. To be able to perform in this arena would be a dream come true. Since I was a youngster, I have looked up to Shakib Al Hasan bhai and have even tried to bowl like him. I adopt his way of thinking as well. I am originally from Jessore. Although many people thought I couldn’t do it, my coaches believed in me, and that helped me achieve,” he went on to say.
The second left-arm spinner, Tirtho, also had 75 on his back as Shakib had. He overcame his impairment and started playing in the top level in 2014, and he has been there ever since. During the Physically Challenged Cricket Tournament, Tirtho amassed a total of 17 wickets. He has high aspirations of one day representing Bangladesh.
“Those who play cricket harbor the dream of one day representing their country, and that opportunity is being created. Perhaps one day, that dream will come true.” Shakib bhai is my idol. Because of this, I decided to take his jersey number. I had the chance to see him once at BKSP while he was there for a U-17 camp, but we were unable to chat to one other.
There are a lot of talented cricket players out there, and they might shine if tournaments like this one were conducted more frequently. We are not paid for playing cricket, and the majority of us are taking time off from our regular jobs in order to participate in the tournament. “Since the board has taken the initiative to create a wing [for players with disabilities], so let’s watch and see what happens,” Tirtho told the media.