Yaqoob Ali
Srinagar, Sep 17: Two Physically challenged cricketers (Devyang-jan) from Jammu and Kashmir Sayed Shah Aziz and Aqib Nisar Malik have been selected in Devyang India- Bangladesh two nations series to be played in Varanasi, Ranchi and Lucknow from September 24 to October 5, 2022.
As per officials the names of Sayed Shah Aziz and Aqib Malik have been included in the list of selected players released by the Divyang Cricket Control Board of India.
With their selection, happiness was expressed among all in their respective areas and in families.
Under the banner of Divyang Cricket Control Board of India, a One Day International match will be played in Varanasi on 24th September, three T20 matches in Ranchi on 27th, 28th, 29th September and a three-day Test match will be played between India and Bangladesh in Lucknow on 3rd, 4th, 5th October 2022.
The duo will be part of Indian Devyang cricket team in two nation Divyang ODI, T20 and Test cricket series.
32-year-old Shah Aziz with the left hand and foot disability hail from Janyar area in district Poonch Jammu while 23-year-old with right leg disability Aqib Nisar Malik hails from south Kashmir’s Badriwan area in district Pulwama.
“In Indo- Bangla (India vs Bangladesh Divyang cricket series), Poonch resident Syed Shah Aziz has been selected as the Vice-Captain of the Indian Divyang cricket team,” said Sham Singh Langeh, Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Divyang Cricket Association.
Earlier on Sayed Shah Aziz captained the Indian Divyang-jan cricket team in the India vs Nepal series held in Kathmandu, Nepal in June 2022.
Under his captaincy in Nepal, India not only won but he was awarded man of the series for his best performance.
“Due to his excellent performance, his name has been included in the Indian team as a vice-captain,” said Langeh.
In December 2021 the duo Shah Aziz and Aqib Malik played a national Divyang cricket tournament held at Satna, M.P while representing J&K where both these cricketers impressed selectors with their performance and got selected in the India team where team J&K remained runners up.
Talking to Rising Kashmir Shah Aziz said that he started playing cricket at an early age with normal cricketers as he was not aware of Divyang cricket.
“But after knowing about divyang cricket I started playing it professionally in 2016. And I am also the current captain of the J&K Divyang cricket team,” he said. He has played two national and several International tournaments in the past.
“I am excited to be part of the Indian team and will work hard to bring laurels for the country and for J&K,” he said, adding that he cannot forget when he was criticized for being disabled when he used to play cricket with normal boys. Now those who had criticized me are respecting me,” he said.
He added that earlier his parents would not allow him to play cricket fearing that he may damage another leg but after realizing his passion for the game they eventually supported him.
“At one stage I thought of quitting the game but seeing a person without both legs trying to walk with the help of crutches motivated me again to continue my passion for cricket,” he said.
Aziz was also part of the Rajasthan Rajwada team in the Divyang premier league (DPL) played in Sharjah cricket stadium Dubai in which a total of six teams participated.
The duo were part of the Indian team in the four nations series held in Bangladesh earlier this year.
The B.A. graduate from Government Degree College Pulwama Aqib Malik is a right-handed bowler and batter.
He has played three matches in the national tournament played at Satna M.P. where he was awarded man of the series and best batsman for scoring 106 runs and picking up six wickets for team J&K. “I also was part of a four nation series played in Bangladesh,” he said. Malik said that he started playing cricket in 6th standard as he used to watch his father playing cricket. “I would play with normal boys but used to face difficulty in running, while in the toilet have experienced a lot of pain in the hip joint owing to shortening of leg responsible for my disability,” he said, adding for that he also underwent through surgery but to no avail as the disability still remained there. “I am very happy to represent the country on such a big platform,” he said.
He added that his family was always supportive of him and his father is his inspiration. “I am very excited to be part of the team India,” he said. Sayed Shah Aziz extended gratitude to Divyang Cricket Control Board of India. Expressing happiness, Sham Singh Langeh, Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Divyang Cricket Association, congratulated Shah Aziz and Aqib Malik and wished them a bright future ahead.
He said that the selection of Shah Aziz as the Vice-Captain and Aqib Malik as a player in the Indian Divyang-jan Cricket team is a matter of great pride for the entire Jammu and Kashmir. “We hope that Shah Aziz and Aqib will bring laurels to the entire nation with their marvellous performance in this tournament,” he said.
