Rashid Khan to coach Chinese cricketers

Rashid Khan, the former Pakistan fast bowler, has been appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to train young cricketers in China. The move is part of a joint effort by the ICC and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to give a fillip to cricket in China.

"The ACC teamed up with the ICC to provide a special fund of US$400,000 to build cricket infrastructure in China." Rashid, who played four Tests and 29 ODIs between 1980 and 1985, said. "It is an honour for me that the PCB has put faith on me and I would coach China's Under-15 team which is scheduled to participate in the ACC Trophy, to be held in Thailand in December this year, for the first time."

Rashid, who is part of the ICC and ACC delegation to get first-hand information on the efforts being taken by China to popularise cricket, urged the Chinese Cricket Association (CCA) to expose their teams to international competitions. He added that the PCB may send a school team to China and that the CCA may reciprocate the move.

Rashid, 46, has managed Pakistan's Under-19 teams and also worked as a junior selector. He was also coach of the Pakistan A side that defeated England by one wicket in a warm-up match in November and coach of the PIA Academy team that appeared against the Asian Under-15 side in May 2005. He admitted that he had learnt a lot from watching Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach, at work - "coaching is a full-time job and you need to be prepared for it," - and stressed on the importance of correct training sessions and proper equipment.