A senior Pakistani cricket star has said that China will be a surprise at the cricket event of the Asian Games to be held next month in Guangzhou, reported the local daily The Indian Express on Friday (October 29).

Javed Miandad, once India's Chief Tormentor and later several-times Coach of Pakistan, is now Lahore-based "ambassador of cricket" in China and Director of Chinese team's preparations for their debut international appearance at the Asiad due to begin November 12.

He is seconded by former India women's team player Mamatha Maben, who thinks China could be challenging "top-rung teams" in five years' time.

Miandad is constantly giving tips to former Pakistan fast bowler Rashid Khan, and former Bangladesh batsman Aminul Islam, who are now working with Chinese men's and women's teams in Guangzhou.

"China is a huge country but cricket is not very popular. However, it is a known fact that when they decide to do something, they go all out. Same is the case with cricket," Miandad told the newspaper.

"The Chinese are very quick learners," he said." Just as an example, they have a player who until three months ago did not know what cricket was, he was completely clueless. I don't remember the name but today he can bowl leg breaks as good as many professional players. Their complete devotion to mastering anything is simply awesome. Something that is missing in Pakistan and India."