Pak to host world champs Indian blind cricket team in February 2014

The Indian blind cricket team will reportedly come on tour to Pakistan in February next year, which will be their third tour to their arch-rivals, to play in three one-days and three Twenty20 internationals

The last time the Indian side played in Pakistan was in December 2011 when they lost both the one-day and Twenty20 series.

According to the Daily Times, Pakistan's blind team toured India last year to feature in the Blind World Twenty20 held in Bangalore, in which they were beaten by India, who lifted the trophy.

Stating that they have convinced a reluctant India to send their blind team to Pakistan for the tour, president of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Association Syed Sultan Shah said that he and his board managed to convince India as blind cricket is all about peace and harmony and there are no fears on holding such a series.

Shah, who is also the president of the World Blind Council, further said that the matches would be played in the cities of Lahore, Faisalabad and Islamabad, adding that India wants to host the Asia Cup for blind teams next year.

According to the report, the ball used in blind cricket is bigger, with ball bearings inside it so the batsman can hear it coming, adding that of the 11 players in each team, four must be totally blind, four partially blind and three partially sighted.

The report further said that regular international cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus during the Lahore Test match in March 2009.

India and Pakistan have not played a full bilateral series since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, although Pakistan visited India for a short series in December-January, the report added.