CONRAD DIAS
Ranchi, March 9: Saud Alam of Jharkhand claimed 4 wickets for 18 runs in 2 overs as Jharkhand defeated Bihar during the 5th Eastzone T20 Cricket Championship for the Deaf being held at Mecon Stadium, Doranda.
Batting first after winning the toss, Bihar was dismissed for 55 runs in 7 overs. Whereas, Jharkhand won the match in 6.3 overs by losing just two wickets.
Deaf cricket players from West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa are participating in the ongoing tournament. The tournament is a joint aegis of Jharkhand Sports Council of the Deaf and SRF News.
Padma Shri Mukund Nayak and Padma Shri Madhu Mansoori inaugurated the tournament. The inaugural match was played between Odisha and West Bengal which Odisha won by 53 runs.
Padma Shri awardee Madhu Mansoori said that the deaf players are equally talented and they need to be recognized by everyone.
“It is very important that we should help and support these specially abled players who have so much talent in them. The government should also look up to this and should help them. They are dependent on our help and support,” he said.
Padma Shri awardee and renowned Nagpuri singer Mukund Nayak was also present during the match and also expressed his views.
“I am a little taken aback as the tournament is being held in the capital of Jharkhand yet very few people are aware of it. Teams from 4-5 different states are participating in it and I don’t know what experience they will take with themselves. I really urge the sports department and private companies to come up and sponsor the future tournaments,” he stated.