Hong Kong Cricket has introduced its 20-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025, with all-rounder Yasim Murtaza appointed captain. The event will likely be performed within the United Arab Emirates, the place Hong Kong finds itself in a tricky Group B alongside Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and defending champions Sri Lanka. The aspect will open its marketing campaign towards Afghanistan on September 9 in Abu Dhabi, adopted by fixtures towards Bangladesh (September 11, Dubai) and Sri Lanka (September 15, Abu Dhabi).
Hong Kong’s fifth Asia Cup look
This yr’s participation marks Hong Kong’s fifth look on the Asia Cup, having beforehand featured in 2004, 2008, 2018 and 2022. The squad displays a calculated mixture of seasoned performers and thrilling new prospects, underlining the crew’s ambition to transcend simply participation and push for qualification into the Tremendous 4 stage.
Yasim Murtaza set to satisfy management duties
The management group has been entrusted to skilled campaigners. Murtaza’s appointment as captain comes on the again of his constant performances and talent to anchor the aspect. Supporting him is vice-captain Babar Hayat, a confirmed match-winner. Hayat is one in all solely two batsmen to have scored a century in Asia Cup T20 historical past—the opposite being India’s Virat Kohli. His attacking batting and wealth of expertise are anticipated to play a central position in Hong Kong’s marketing campaign.
The mixture of Murtaza’s regular management and Hayat’s attacking aptitude is seen as key to Hong Kong’s probabilities of inflicting upsets within the group stage.
The squad options acquainted names corresponding to Anshuman Rath, Nizakat Khan, Ehsan Khan, Aizaz Khan, Kinchit Shah, Ayush Shukla, and Haroon Arshad – gamers with confirmed credentials in previous worldwide competitions. Their expertise, coupled with the inclusion of younger abilities like Kalhan Challu, Adil Mehmood and Ali Hassan, supplies depth and suppleness throughout departments.
Selectors have emphasised the necessity for a flexible and balanced unit able to adapting to the calls for of high-pressure matches towards stronger opponents.
Honk Kong’s highway to Asia Cup: Qualification by way of ACC Premier Cup
Hong Kong booked their spot within the Asia Cup by way of the ACC Premier Cup 2024, the place they defeated Nepal within the third-place playoff to safe qualification. That victory highlighted their resilience and talent to carry out beneath strain, traits they may want once more as they put together to face three extremely ranked opponents.
Additionally READ: Followers specific disappointment as Shreyas Iyer not noted of India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad
Hong Kong’s squad for Asia Cup 2025
Yasim Murtaza (c), Babar Hayat (vc), Zeeshan Ali, Shahid Wasif, Nizakat Khan, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Challu, Ayush Shukla, Aizaz Khan, Ateeq Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Adil Mehmood, Anas Khan, Haroon Arshad, Ali Hassan, Md Ghazanfar, Md Waheed, Ehsan Khan
Additionally READ: Bangladesh title 16-member squad for Asia Cup 2025; Litton Das to guide
