KARACHI: The all-weather friendship between Pakistan and China is growing on the cricket field as well and in a latest development, the Pakistan Cricket Board is sending a couple of former cricketers to China to impart knowledge and technical knowhow of the game at various levels there.

Former Test cricketer Muhammad Ramzan along with former international cricketer Faisal Athar are set to leave for China soon to take charge as coaches of men and women outfits, on three-year contract each.

Furthermore, Rashid Khan, a former Pakistan Test cricketer who served as the head coach of both men and women teams of China from 2006 to 2017, will also be involved in the process by visiting the neighbouring country from time to time to share his experience with coaches, players and other relevant quarters in China.

This correspondent understands that China wants to shape up formidable men and women outfits for the 2022 Asian Games, scheduled in their country.

Earlier, former captain Javed Miandad, too, served as the cricket ambassador to China while the PCB also donated cricket equipments to the neighbouring country in late 2000s.

It is also pertinent to mention here that two young Chinese players were invited to train with Peshawar Zalmi during Pakistan Super League (PSL) as part of the growing Sino-Pak cricketing ties.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2019