Hong Kong Team in Asia Cup 2018: Strength, Weakness, Key Players, Full Squad and Prediction

Hong Kong battled through a qualifying tournament to secure a place in the Asia Cup 2018. Hong Kong defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by two wickets in the final of Asia Cup 2018 Qualifier in Kuala Lumpur. In a rain-curtailed match, Hong Kong were set 179 to win from 24 overs and they chased it down with three balls to spare. Hong Kong were recently stripped of their ODI status. However, for the 2018 Asia Cup, Hong Kong has received a temporary ODI status from ICC. Asia Cup 2018: 5 Things You Need to Know About Hong Kong Cricket Team as They Join India and Pakistan in Group A.

Hong Kong, who will be playing their third Asia Cup, are placed in Group A along with India and Pakistan. They open their campaign against Pakistan on September 16 and then face India on September 18. Both the matches will be played in Dubai. Meanwhile, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson called the ODI status allowed to Hong Kong as a positive step taken by the game’s governing body. “To grant ODI status to all matches in the Asia Cup is a positive step taken by the ICC Board as we continue to take an in-depth look at international cricket structures in relation to our long-term ambition of growing the game and adding to the one billion fans who already follow the sport,” Richardson said.

Apparently, Hong Kong on both the previous occasions failed to go past the first round. They participated in the tournament in 2004 and 2008 editions. In their last appearance, Hong Kong were placed in the group along with India and Pakistan as well. And now again will face the Asian giants. Asia Cup Cricket 2018 Schedule in PDF Download: Time Table and Venue of Asia Cup Cricket Including India vs Pakistan Fixture.

Strengths: Hong Kong doesn’t have that much of an experience at an international level. They have featured in just 24 ODIs till date. The squad boasts of players from India and Pakistan and that’s where their strength lies. Though, playing against India and Pakistan, these strengths won’t count!

Weakness: It is safe to say, Hong Kong comes into the tournament as the weakest side. Though have a decent bowling attack, it is batting which has which could prove to be feeble against the bowling attacks of India and Pakistan.

Key Players To Watch Out For: Right-arm fast-medium bowler Aizaz Khan scalped a five-wicket haul against the UAE in the final of Asia Cup 2018 Qualifier. And he is one of the main players in the Hong Kong squad. Apart from him Babar Hayat and Nizakat Khan hold important places in the team. Asia Cup Stats: List of Batting, Bowling, Wicket-Keeping, and Fielding Records Ahead of 2018 Edition of Multi-Nation ODI Tournament in UAE.

Squad: Anshuman Rath(c), Aizaz Khan, Babar Hayat, Cameron McAulsan, Christopher Carter, Ehsan Khan, Ehsan Nawaz, Arshad Mohammad, Kinchit Shah, Nadeem Ahmed, Nizakat Khan, Raag Kapur, Scott McKechnie, Tanveer Ahmed, Tanwir Afzal, Waqas Khan, Aftab Hussain.

Prediction: It’s an easy guess. One doesn’t need to be an expert to predict the first round exit for Hong Kong. If they beat India or Pakistan, which is highly unlikely, it will no doubt be one of the major upsets in cricket in the contemporary times.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 10, 2018 10:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).