ISLAMABAD, Dec 11: Pakistan will give China full support for the promotion of cricket in the world’s most populous country, a top Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said on Thursday.

“China is already an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), and from our expertise in the game of cricket they will learn a lot,” Javed Miandad, former Test captain and Director General of the PCB, told Dawn on Thursday.

Miandad has been named recently as the Cricket Ambassador to China.

For the last two years, Miandad said, former Test cricketer Rashid Khan had been working with the Chinese sports authorities for the promotion of the game. Former medium-fast bowler Rashid, 48, has been China’s national cricket coach since November 2006 and is working with the Chinese Cricket Association.

“We will extend our expertise to China in developing their cricket infrastructure besides training them in bowling, batting and fielding,” said the 124-Test veteran.

In the past, Miandad pointed out, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were just like China before they emerged on the international cricket map as strong Test-playing nations.

When asked about the cricket development plan for China, Miandad said: “I have prepared a plan for the development of the game and I will start it very soon.

“It would be easier for us to train and coach Chinese players here in Pakistan because of the favourable atmosphere of cricket,” the former master batsman added.

Meanwhile, a Sports Ministry official noted that China was already supporting Pakistan in training their players in badminton, volleyball, table tennis, athletics and other Olympic games.

“The country’s major multi-sport facility — Pakistan Sports Complex — was also a gift by the People’s Republic of China [to Pakistan],” the official said.