BEIJING, Aug 7: A senior official of the Chinese Cricket Association (CCA) on Tuesday lauded the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for sending it playing equipment and for help in improving the skills of the young Chinese cricketers.

“We were badly in need of such help as CCA wants to fulfil the requirements of the different school teams for holding tournaments that would start very soon and also for the few national teams we are developing,” director Cricket Development Committee Z.Y. Jiang said while talking to newsmen.

According to Jiang, the CCA is in touch with the PCB through its national team coach from Pakistan, Rashid Khan, as well as through the Pakistan Embassy. They are also exploring the possibility to send a team to Pakistan soon although negotiations in this regard are in early stages. “At the moment, it cannot be confirmed when this visit will take place but it is tentatively planned for the end of 2007 or early next year,” said Jiang.

Regarding the popularity of cricket in China, Jiang said very few people are acquainted with the sport since there is no cricket culture in the country. “Our strategy is to first develop grounds for the game followed by promotion of the game at the grassroots level.” he said.—APP