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    INTERVIEW WITH JAVED MIANDAD - PART II

    Written by: Jalal Hussain
    Posted on: September 19, 2012 | | 中文

    Do you think China as a nation can develop a long-term interest in cricket?

    The Chinese approach to sports is different from how we understand it. The Chinese pick up a game from time to time and then inculcate that game into their system and culture, and exert themselves to try and excel at it. Before cricket they worked on rugby, tennis, golf and hockey, and now they are a force to be reckoned with in these sports. They’ve gained international respect for their performance in them. And it’s admirable when you think that most Chinese hadn’t even heard of these sports twenty years ago. So it just shows that once they put their minds to learn a sport, they do learn it. I feel that nothing is impossible for the Chinese. China is known for its ability to excel at whatever they decide to pick up. Economically they are one of the strongest countries in the world, and whenever they take up any activity they ensure that they become world champions at it.

    As I mentioned earlier I’ve visited Chinese schools and colleges, where I saw students playing cricket. They know about the game and, more importantly, they were enjoying it. Hopefully this will have a domino effect and more Chinese children will start playing cricket.

    China has around 50 players in their main camp who play cricket all year round.  We’ve sent coaches there to work with them. The Asian Cricket Council also looks after the affairs of Chinese cricket.

    How would you rate the ability of Chinese cricketers? Do they have a Shoaib Akhtar or a Shahid Afridi in the making?

    They are very talented _ the more they practice, the better they will get. It all comes down to discipline, something the Chinese seem to possess intrinsically. They have produced positive results and I have always been astonished at how quickly they have adapted and learnt the things I taught them. A couple of years ago, I invited 8 Chinese players to stay at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore   Here they had the opportunity to play matches, improve themselves and, at the same time, to interact with first class cricketers.

    How often do you visit China?

    I go to China whenever it is necessary. However, because communication has become so advanced and efficient due to the Internet, I remain closely connected with the progress of the Chinese cricketers and coach them through video calls as well as through telephone. The Pakistan Embassy in China takes great interest in the development of Chinese cricket and I must thank them, as well as the Government of Pakistan, for their continued support in sending me to China to coach the players.

    What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Chinese cricket system?

    I am very satisfied with their level of progress, at how, in a short time span, they have understood the basics of the game and learnt how to play it well. This is a significant achievement since cricket, unlike other sports, is very technical and can be difficult to grasp. They have managed to successfully hit sixes, bowl leg breaks and off breaks.

    I have had the pleasure of coaching a cricketer in the team who was a very good fast bowler.  He developed an interest in leg break bowling, which is known to be one of the toughest skills to acquire in cricket. He has mastered the technique and now bowls leg break deliveries perfectly.
    The Chinese team played against the Pakistan Under-19 team, which comprises of polished cricketers. While playing against them the Chinese cricketers hooked and pulled and played the full repertoire of shots. No doubt, they are an extremely hard working and determined team.
    How does China compare to other developing cricket nations?

    Among the lower ranked teams such as Bermuda, Jersey etc., China is the most striking for the reasons I have mentioned. They are in the process of putting a system in place. They are incorporating cricket at the school and college level, and their government is also supporting them resiliently.  All of these are factors that are lacking in other lower tier teams. China possesses all the essential qualities that are required to excel at the game.

    How do you think Pakistan can benefit from exporting cricket to China?

    If cricket develops in China, Pakistan benefits immensely as China has the largest population in the world; so even if a fraction of that population picks up the game, we could export cricketing equipment and other related merchandise to them, which would be an important boost for our economy. Just imagine how much Pakistani businesses would gain even if nothing but sports goods were exported to China from here. It would create much needed employment as well. China is a huge market.

    In view of the relationship we have with the Chinese, the Government of Pakistan   should create a separate fund for Chinese cricket. It could be another dimension to the diplomatic ties between our countries. We could have an understanding with the Chinese for Pakistan to provide the infrastructure and the training to Chinese cricket in return for China agreeing to use only Pakistani cricketing equipment. We could also build a stadium in China which could be a second home of sorts for our players.


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    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

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    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021