ECB proposes Pan-Disability Cricket Tournament to Boost Inclusivity

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has taken a pioneering step to popularize cricket among differently-abled communities. ECB secretary Richard Gould has written to BCCI secretary Jay Shah, proposing two national disability teams— one for visually impaired (blind) and one combined team for the physically and intellectually challenged and those with hearing impairments.

Gould's proposal will be discussed on the sidelines of the ICC Annual conference in Colombo, where he will participate in the Chief Executives Meet. In a letter also addressed to Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley, PCB COO Salman Naseer, and CSA CEO Phletsi Moseki, Gould emphasized the need for structured, regulated, and supported global disability cricket.

Gould underscored that financial constraints must not hinder the efforts to establish a blind XI and a pan-disability format. He sees the 1.3 billion people with disabilities worldwide as an untapped market. The ECB is keen on hosting the inaugural pan-disability tournament in 2025, aiming to turbocharge the disabled cricket game and garner support from the ICC and other cricket boards.

(With inputs from agencies.)