Asian Games Report -- Cricket Gold for Pakistan

(ATR) The men from Pakistan will take the pitch Thursday with hopes of a cricket sweep.

They plan Afghanistan in one of two Thursday semi-finals. Bangladesh plays Sri Lanka in the other, and the final is slated for Friday.

Pakistan claimed their first Asian Games gold medal in eight years when they won the inaugural women’s cricket tournament in Guangzhou.

The President of their Olympic Association, and Vice President of the OCA, could not hide his delight that they will have the chance to defend their crown in Incheon in 2014.

"I am very pleased the President of the OCA took this decision," said Syed Arif Hasan, speaking in between innings as he cheered his side to a 10-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the final.

It was only this week that the confirmation came that cricket would remain in the slimmed-down Games with 35 instead of 42 events.

"Cricket in South Asia is very strong but if it comes to China, it will give the game across Asia a huge boost," said Hasan. "It would be tremendous for the game and after a few more events it could have a chance of being in the Olympics.

"Traditional cricketing countries like Pakistan can do a lot. We can work together to help develop the game in East Asia. The Middle East has already started to develop, in places like Kuwait and Oman.

"The crowd in Guangzhou is fantastic. They don’t understand all the rules but they are here anyway. I have met Chinese people here who now actually follow cricket on the internet."

The hard-fought bronze medal clash between China and Japan showed the cricketing potential that does exist in Asia.

Japan won in the final over the hosts, and their New Zealand coach Katrina Keenan admitted: "To be at this tournament is a huge opportunity for us.

"Cricket has been developing in China over the last few years, but especially in the last six to 12 months. We have had an international program which was a bit more organised.

"In Guangzhouwe have played against teams we have never played against before. For us to compete and finish third, I am just so proud of the girls.

"The fact that cricket is staying in the Asian Games is a huge thing for the development of all the teams here."

China’s manager Liu Rongyao agreed, saying: "Cricket is very much growing in East Asia, in countries like Japan, Thailand and China. By the Asian Games in 2014 more and more countries will be in the cricket movement."

Chinese captain Wang Meng spoke for all the players. "The Asian Games has enabled me to be more determined and do more training.It has encouraged me to spread this sport to more people in China."

And Vice President Hasan stressed it was not just in new countries that Asian Games cricket is an important factor.

He said: "The success of our women’s team will have a hugely positive impact on all female sport back home in Pakistan."

ATR coverage of the Guangzhou Asian Games

is Proudly Presented by PyeongChang 2018

With reporting from Matt Horn in Guangzhou.

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