Chinese players train in Pakistan for Asian Games
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Chinese cricketers are training hard in Pakistan ahead of this year's Asian Games, where they hope to raise the profile of the sport in their home country, their coach said on Tuesday.
Cricket will make its first appearance at the Asian Games in November in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, and the home side has been preparing with help from Pakistan's former captain and batting master Javed Miandad.
Teams from Test-playing nations Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are expected to take part in the games, competing against hosts China and five other sides in Twenty20 format matches.
"Because of the excellent relationship between the two countries, Chinese players were given a chance by Pakistan and six of the players have got some valuable tips from batting legend Javed Miandad," China's Pakistani coach Rashid Khan told AFP.
President Asif Ali Zardari, who is patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), appointed Miandad as cricket ambassador to China last year.
"It's a lifetime opportunity for the Chinese players ... The Chinese players are very disciplined, they follow strict timings and are excellent ambassadors of their country," Rashid said.
"The Asian Games could be a breakthrough for them as, if they perform well, the Chinese government will put in more funds," added Rashid, who played four Tests and 29 one-day internationals for Pakistan.
China is an affiliate member of the Asian Cricket Council and the International Cricket Council (ICC) and won the ICC global development award for the region in 2005.
The ICC sees China as the next big market for cricket and regularly sends coaches and officials there to promote the sport.
One player, 22-year-old Jiang Shuyao, said he was thrilled to meet Miandad and paceman Shoaib Akhtar.
"It is a lifetime experience," said Yao. "I heard a lot about Miandad and today I met him and was all ears when he was giving me tips how to bat. It will help me in the Asian Games.
"Soccer, table tennis and badminton are popular sports in China, but cricket is also coming up big and Asian Games will give us a chance to show our mettle."
