ISLAMABAD: Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Margaret Adamson and Pakistan Blind Cricket Council Chairman Syed Sultan Shah on Monday announced the formation of Pakistan’s first blind cricket team for women and girls. “Australia and Pakistan share a passion for cricket, so we are happy to support the PBCC’s efforts to bring women and girls living with disabilities into the sport,” Adamson said in a statement. “By providing women and girls with disabilities with the opportunity to compete and demonstrate their physical ability, sport can help to reduce gender stereotypes and negative perceptions associated with people with disabilities,” Adamson said. The Australian High Commission sponsored one of two six-day training clinics for visually impaired women and girls from across the country that culminated in formation of the team at a 10-over match played at Kinnaird College for Women in Lahore. “Coach Nafees Ahmed helped these players push their boundaries. They are brilliant exponents of Pakistan’s best-loved game and a source of inspiration for us all,” Adamson added. Nafees also coached the national men’s team to victory in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. The new team is expected to play their first international Twenty20 game against Nepal in January 2019 as part of the second ever women’s blind cricket series. Published in Daily Times, October 2nd, 2018.