The third edition of Pakistan Supper League (PSL) will be unique as it will attract a new market of millions of spectators as two Chinese cricketers will represent Peshawar Zalmi.
Jian Li and Yufie Zhang who are the members of China’s senior cricket team will represent Peshawar Zalmi.
One can imagine how beneficial it would be to cricket if the game got popular in China. It could be a game changer as far as the promotion of cricket and finding new markets is concerned. It will depend on how Asian Cricket Council and International Cricket Council exploit this potential
One can imagine how beneficial it would be to cricket if the game got popular in China. It could be a game changer as far as the promotion of cricket and finding new markets is concerned. It will depend on how Asian Cricket Council and International Cricket Council exploit this potential.
There are many T20 leagues around the world but none has tapped the Chinese market. Even the Indian Premier League hasn’t attracted the Chinese interest although both countries are neighbours.
The credit for this goes to Javed Afridi, the owner of Peshawar Zalmi who came up with this idea.
It may be noted here that the game of cricket has already been established in Hong Kong as it was once ruled by the British.
It is expected that due to the inclusion of the Chinese Cricketers, Peshawar Zalmi will receive more attention from the cricket enthusiasts in Dubai as well as in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Shaharyar Khan will be remembered as the founding father of cricket in China as he appointed Pakistan’s former fast bowler Rashid Khan to train the local youth. China is fast becoming a global power in every sphere of life, including sports.
Cricket has expanded faster than ever before since the introduction of T20 format because of its more lively nature. Its popularity is fast spreading even in the Far Eastern countries.
Pakistan’s Shaharyar Khan will be remembered as the founding father of cricket in China as he appointed Pakistan’s former fast bowler Rashid Khan to train the local youth. China is fast becoming a global power in every sphere of life, including sports.
Rashid, who has vast experience as a first class cricketer, knows how to develop the game at the grassroots level with a strong foundation.
Rashid has trained boys as well as girls in China. He played an important role in introducing the two cricketers to PSL and brokered their agreement with Peshawar Zalmi.
The former fast bowler said that Peshawar Zalmi had also planned to organise a one-month training camp for Chinese Under-19 cricket team whose schedule would be announced later.
Rashid said that it was a great success that two Chinese cricketers would be participating in one of the most prominent professional T20 league.
“Both Chinese cricketers had been under my coaching since they were part of the under-15 cricket coaching program. Both are bowling all-rounders. They are medium pacers and have played various Asian level cricket competitions organized by ACC,” said Rashid.
Rashid said that Jian Li and Yufie Zhang were under 25 and at their peak. He said he expected them to perform well and help popularize cricket in China.
He said that it would be one of the best items in the PSL to see the Chinese playing.
Rashid said that the decision to this effect would prove one of the best for cricket as far as spreading the game in China is concerned.
He said that Chinese Cricket Association (CAA) was behind all this development and its officials were present in Islamabad when the agreement was signed with Peshawar Zalmi.