Meet the Indian wheelchair cricket team that defeated Pakistan on Day 1 of Friendship Cup

A day before the much-anticipated cricket match between India and Pakistan of the Asia Cup, another Indian cricket team defeated Pakistan on day one of the Friendship Cup. These are wheelchair teams playing a series of three matches in the UAE.

The Indian side led by Somjeet Singh put up an impressive score of 181/7 in 20 overs. To which, Pakistan stumbled with only 92 runs in 16 overs, and losing the match by a margin of 89 runs.

The Friendship Cup will have two more matches as part of the three-match series. With yesterday's win, India's Wheelchair Cricket Team is leading the series 1-0, says Daily Hunt.

For the first time, India will also host the first Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup in October 2018. It was decided by AWCC (Asian Wheelchair Cricketing Association) at a meeting held in Bangladesh on November 4, 2017.

The history of the Indian wheelchair cricket team goes back to 2011. It was international para-athlete and national awardee Pradeep Raj who laid the foundation for Wheelchair Cricket India (WCI).

The idea came during Pradeep's visit to South Korea, where he interacted with wheelchair cricket delegations from Bangladesh and Pakistan.

He felt the need for a wheelchair cricket team, as it would provide an opportunity to para-athletes to represent India. With no infrastructural or financial support, the WCI promoted the sport on its own.

Currently, he serves as the Secretary-General of the Indian Wheelchair Cricket Team.

Pradeep also approached cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, who donated a sum of 4.39 lakh, for the team's international tour to Bangladesh, as reported by Deccan Chronicle.

The undying spirit of WCI led to the establishment of Asian Wheelchair Cricket Association (AWCC). The association now houses cricket delegations from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, says The Better India.

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