China has potential to host Pakistan matches – Miandad

KARACHI, (Reuters) – China should build a cricket  stadium so it can host international tournaments and offer a  neutral venue for Pakistan to stage their matches, former  Pakistan captain Javed Miandad said yesterday.

Miandad has been appointed as an advisor to the Chinese  cricket association and said the world’s most populous country  had the potential to become a leading cricket nation.

“After they offered me the chance to become their advisor on  cricket affairs, I have proposed to the Chinese cricket  association to start hosting international events,” Miandad, who  played 124 tests, told Reuters on Wednesday.

“I have told them an international venue can easily be built  quickly after which they can host international multi-team  events and also play host to Pakistan’s matches at neutral  venues when needed.”
Pakistan have found themselves practically frozen out from  test cricket due to security fears in the country.

Following the ambush of the Sri Lanka cricket team’s bus in  Lahore last month, in which six players wounded, Pakistan has  become a no-go zone for international sporting teams.

“If we continue to have problems convincing teams to play in  Pakistan because of their security concerns, China is a good  option as a neutral venue as we have close ties with them,”  Miandad said.