Following the recent development, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi’s management is working hard behind the scenes for the betterment of the sport, as the two Chinese cricketers are expected to feature in the third edition of PSL in a bid to represent Zalmi.
According to the envoy for China, Amir Suhail Afridi revealed the Zalmi camp is eyeing to promote the gentleman’s game in China, where the game is yet to gain the popularity.
“We have organized a number of cricket matches to introduce this game among the locals [in China],” Suhail was quoted as saying by APP.
It’s pertinent to state that the two national players of China would formally get a contract from the Zalmi’s Head of Operations Javed Afridi, as the players would be travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), for the professional domestic twenty competitions in 2018.
“We provide free transportation to attract more and more people to watch cricket,” Suhail added.
Suhail further believes Pakistan has an opportunity to export sports goods to China owing to the enormous source for the businessmen in the field of sports.
“China is a huge market for sports items and Pakistan traders could create a new market by exporting cricket and footballs kits,” Suhail maintained.
Suhail reiterated the youngsters in China have had shown keen interest to learn the niceties of the gentleman’s game while feeling it’s the best opportunity to engross the young players by providing them all the facilities during the different camps organised by the Zalmi conglomerate.
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While talking about hosting the camps and promoting cricket, Suhail added the professional coaches would also play a quality role to endorse the game at the grassroots level.
“We have provided cricket kits to different schools and colleges,” Suhail further added.
As Pakistan community has been working closely with Chinese co-workers, Suhail admitted they are looking forward to the long-term partnership for the development of the sport.
The representative for China, Suhail further expressed the application has been tendered to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider China as one of the neutral venues after adopting the UAE as its second home since 2009 onwards.
Moreover, the president of Pakistan community in Keqiao city, Abdullah Afridi said they are looking forward to making ground with the help of locals.
“We organize cricket matches on week-end to promote this game among Chinese people,” Abdullah concluded.
In March earlier, the PSL final was played in front of the packed crowd at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators-led by Sarfraz Ahmed.