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Pakistan, Sri Lanka to send cricket teams for Asiad
India may have backed out from the Asian Games in China this November, but Pakistan and Sri Lanka will send their teams for the competition.
- NDTV
- Updated: June 03, 2010 06:59 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
New Delhi:
India pulled out saying the players had prior international committments. According to the international calendar India are scheduled to play New Zealand, while Sri Lanka have to face West Indies.
Pakistan have no such committments in November, and have even selected a squad of 30 players, including some senior and junior players.
Cricket makes its debut in this edition of the Asian Games, but India will not be sending its cricket team, not even a second-string team. (Forum: Should BCCI send a second string team for the Asian Games?)
The BCCI has refused to send its men's and women's teams citing prior international commitments and the decision has already come under fire from many quarters, including the Indian Olympic Association and prominent sportspersons. (Read: BCCI not to send cricket teams to Asian Games)
Miandad said he was surprised by BCCI's decision but it was their internal matter.
"Pakistan team is going that is important to us," he added.
"The selectors have included some senior and leading players in the shortlist of 30 players and Pakistan will definitely send a strong side to China," one source said.
Another source pointed out that the relations between Pakistan and China played an important role in PCB's decision to send a team for the Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou from Novermber 12 to 27. (Read: Pakistan will take part in Asian Games: PCB)
"Yes, Pakistan has excellent relations with China and we are doing our best to promote cricket in China and also provide them infrastructure and technical help. We see the Asian Games as a best possible platform for the sport to be promoted in China which has a viable commercial market for the sport," Miandad stated.
Miandad himself has been appointed as cricket ambassador to China and former Pakistan Test player Rashid Khan is the current head coach in China.
Recently, a Chinese team was also in Pakistan on the invitation of the PCB for training.
India may have backed out from the Asian Games in China this November, but Pakistan and Sri Lanka will send their teams for the competition.India pulled out saying the players had prior international committments. According to the international calendar India are scheduled to play New Zealand, while Sri Lanka have to face West Indies.
Pakistan have no such committments in November, and have even selected a squad of 30 players, including some senior and junior players.
Cricket makes its debut in this edition of the Asian Games, but India will not be sending its cricket team, not even a second-string team. (Forum: Should BCCI send a second string team for the Asian Games?)
The BCCI has refused to send its men's and women's teams citing prior international commitments and the decision has already come under fire from many quarters, including the Indian Olympic Association and prominent sportspersons. (Read: BCCI not to send cricket teams to Asian Games)
Miandad said he was surprised by BCCI's decision but it was their internal matter.
"Pakistan team is going that is important to us," he added.
"The selectors have included some senior and leading players in the shortlist of 30 players and Pakistan will definitely send a strong side to China," one source said.
Another source pointed out that the relations between Pakistan and China played an important role in PCB's decision to send a team for the Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou from Novermber 12 to 27. (Read: Pakistan will take part in Asian Games: PCB)
"Yes, Pakistan has excellent relations with China and we are doing our best to promote cricket in China and also provide them infrastructure and technical help. We see the Asian Games as a best possible platform for the sport to be promoted in China which has a viable commercial market for the sport," Miandad stated.
Miandad himself has been appointed as cricket ambassador to China and former Pakistan Test player Rashid Khan is the current head coach in China.
Recently, a Chinese team was also in Pakistan on the invitation of the PCB for training.
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