By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-08-24 09:13

"This kind of improvement is not taking place anywhere in Asia. This is because Chinese people are disciplined. When they get their mind on something, they will make it."

Supporting Huq's claims, the national women's cricket team finished a surprising third at last month's Asian Championships, just two years after the women's players picked up a bat and ball.

According to ACC's plan, China's women's team will go to India for training and competition next year.

The men's team, which was selected after the national championships last week, will compete at the U-15 and U-19 Asian Championships later this year.

Next year they will play at senior level.

Former Pakistan international Rashid Khan is currently coaching China's men's and women's cricket teams.

The CCA aims to have 15,000 cricketers by 2009, with a proportional number of umpires and coaches, and 60,000 by 2012.

By 2020, following the establishment of a national league, international club matches and a national school and inter-city competition, the association expects cricket to be played actively by 150,000 people.

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