ACC chief Nasim Ashraf vows promotion of cricket in Asia

Islamabad, July 11 (ANI): Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Nasim Ashraf, who is also the PCB president, has said that he would make efforts in raising the standard of cricket in countries, like Afghanistan and UAE, where the game was still in nascent stage.

"My foremost duty as ACC chief would be to raise the status of Asian cricket even further.

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The continent has got a special place on the cricketing map and it would be highlighted in days to come," The News quoted him as saying.

He said that Afghanistan and UAE were making big strides. "Look at Afghanistan, they have shown great improvement and the way they defeated other opponents in the ICC Cup was very heartening for Asian cricket. As PCB Chairman I am delighted to see Afghanistan winning the Division II event as it was Pakistan that initiated promotion of cricket in the war-trodden country," he added.

Ashraf further said: "If these teams continue to work on the improvement of domestic cricket, they could be serious contenders for Test status in the years to come."

Since the next Asian Games will be held in China, the local cricket authorities are striving hard to raise a competitive outfit for the occasion, he said and added: "The PCB has already deputed Rashid Khan to train cricketers in China and he has been doing a good job there."

Ashraf claimed that with the help and guidance of Pakistan, China has already raised 40 school and club teams.

Nasim was confident that two to three ACC members would succeed in making it to the 2011 World Cup to be jointly hosted by Asian Test playing countries. "One of the most important tasks I have to do during my tenure would be to help the member teams qualify for the 2011 World Cup," he said. (ANI)