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.

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.