Pakistan to train Chinese cricketers

by Ubaid-ur-Rehman Awan

KARACHI: Six Chinese cricketers arrived in Pakistan Tuesday to get training and coaching for the preparation of Asian Games to be played in Guangzhou, China in November.

The Chinese cricketers include ZhangYu Fei (captain), Jiang Shu Yao (batsman), Sun Duo, Ling Jian (all-rounders) and Zhao Goo Sheng (wicket-keeper).

The Chinese cricketers include ZhangYu Fei (captain), Jiang Shu Yao (batsman), Sun Duo, Ling Jian (all-rounders) and Zhao Goo Sheng (wicket-keeper).

While talking to Xinhua, Director General of Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket Ambassador to China, Javed Miandad said that the aim of hosting Chinese cricketers was to jack up their cricketing abilities and raise their level of the game, so that they could help their mates for the upcoming cricket assignments for China.

While commenting on the possibilities of PCB using China as Pakistan’s second home for hosting matches, Javed Miandad opined that grounds in China are not up to the mark of hosting any international matches at present, but they are working on it and are hosting Asian Games this November after which everybody would come to realise their real potential. “Pakistan should play in China, but not before upgrading their grounds.

He went on to say that he was surprised to see cricketing talent in China and they had good piece of knowledge about him. Pakistan Cricket Board is giving all out support to China for the uplift of the game there. “I was astonished to see that whatever I taught them a year ago, they have mastered it”, Miandad said.

“China will take time to get up to the level of playing with top international teams, but right now they are giving good competition to the ICC’s associated members”, Miandad concluded.

Rashid Khan, former Pakistan paceman and coach of National Chinese team is giving training and coaching to Chinese cricketers.

Rashid told Xinhua that he along with the Chinese cricketers are thankful to the PCB for their support and inviting them to train in Karachi.

“On my request, leg spinner Danish Kaneria, Jalaluddin and former wicket keeper Rashid Latif will also give training to the Chinese players”, he said.

After the training and coaching session in Pakistan, Chinese cricketers will participate in cricket tournament organised by Pakistani community in Hong Kong in late May, he said.

They will also take part in three nation tournament in Korea where China will be accompanied by host Korea and Japan, Rashid added.

China will make international debut during Asian Games in November.