The cricket player with no arms

An Indian man has defied the odds and fulfilled his dream of becoming a cricket player - despite losing both arms in a tragic accident as a child.

Amir Hussain Lone, 26, from north India's Kashmir region uses his feet to bowl and is able to bat by holding it between his neck and shoulder.

Mr Hussain Lone was just eight years old when he was involved in an accident in his father's sawmill, which in the cruellest of ironies, made cricket bats.

He lost both his arms, and his family had to sell the sawmill in order to pay for his medical bills and rehabilitation.

However Mr Hussain Lone was determined to learn how to play cricket again, and is now the captain of the Kashmir state's para-cricket team.

Mr Hussain Lone's unusual technique for batting involves holding the bat between his neck and shoulder, and he bowls with his toes - using a sweeping leg movement to launch the cricket ball.

"Cricket is my passion and in the beginning, it was very difficult for me," said Amir, who lives in Indian-administered Kashmir.

"When I was younger, I wasn't even able to eat without my hands.

"When I tried to play cricket for the first time after the accident, people used to make fun of me. Now they are very supportive."

Recounting the accident, which took place in 1997, Mr Hussain Lone said: 'I was taking some food to my brother who worked there.

"I used to play with the sawmill machine, but on this occasion both of my arms got entangled in the machine."

Suffering extensive injuries, Mr Hussain Lone was taken to hospital, where he remained for three years.

The accident had a devastating effect on the family, who sold everything to pay the medical expenses.

Mr Hussain Lone's father, Bashir, said, "I had my own sawmill and we used to manufacture our own cricket bats. But after the accident, I had to sell everything.

"People used talk bad about my son. They used to say I was wasting both my money and time on him, that he was of no use.

"But he is so dear to me like a part of my body. As a father why do I need wealth when my son is not well?"

Eventually returning home, Mr Hussain Lone joined the local school, but encountered a number of challenges.

"My grandmother encouraged me to go to school, I wasn't ready but she convinced me," he said.

"A teacher even told me that this school was not meant for [disadvantaged] children like me."

But his passion for cricket remained and he found pleasure playing with his friends and spent two years learning the sport.

"Batting was not a difficult task," Mr Hussain Lone says.

"But bowling without arms was a miracle and I somehow managed to do it."

Now Amir - who is captain of the Jammu and Kashmir Para-cricket team - is hoping to take his skills to the highest level.

"I am a supporter of [former Indian cricketer] Sachin Tendulkar. He is my inspiration and I want to play like him. My dream is to play for the national team."