In a significant development ahead of the T20 Asia Cup 2025, Hong Kong’s cricket authorities have announced their squad for the upcoming tournament, which is set to take place in the United Arab Emirates.
The island nation, making its fifth appearance in the prestigious competition, has named Pakistan born all rounder Yasim Murtaza as their captain, with 33 year old Babar Hayat stepping in as vice captain.
Hong Kong’s team, comprising 20 selected players for the pre tournament training camp, will compete in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan.
The team’s preparation phase will kick off in the UAE with practice matches before they face their first challenge in the tournament a clash against Afghanistan on September 9 in Abu Dhabi.
Yasim Murtaza, who has been representing Hong Kong since 2022, brings a wealth of experience to the side. The 34 year old all rounder, born in Pakistan, boasts a solid record in T20 Internationals scoring 746 runs in 63 matches, including two half centuries, and claiming 70 wickets with his leftarm spin.
Making his debut in Pakistan’s domestic cricket scene back in 2007, Yasim’s journey has been remarkable from representing Pakistan at the grassroots level to becoming a pivotal figure for Hong Kong’s cricket aspirations.
The vicecaptain, Babar Hayat, 33, has been a cornerstone of Hong Kong cricket for years. Known for his aggressive batting and leadership qualities, Babar’s role in the squad remains integral. Alongside them, key players like wicketkeeper Jiashan Ali, Niazakat Khan, and all rounders Ahsan Khan and Anshuman Rath form the backbone of this squad.
Rath, who previously captained Hong Kong, took a brief hiatus from international cricket in 2019 to pursue opportunities in India, playing for Odisha in domestic leagues. However, he returned to Hong Kong in 2023, eager to contribute once again to his national team’s ambitions.
Hong Kong’s cricketing journey in the Asia Cup dates back to 2004, with appearances in 2008, 2018, and 2022. Their fifth participation begins on September 9 in Abu Dhabi, where they will face Afghanistan.
The team’s schedule includes matches against Bangladesh on September 11 and Sri Lanka on September 15, as they aim to make their mark on this revered stage.
The squad for Hong Kong reads as follows: Captain Yasim Murtaza, Vice-Captain Babar Hayat, Wicketkeeper Jiashan Ali, Niazakat Khan, Naserullah Raza, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Ahsan Khan, Kylan Mark Challu, Ayush Abhishek Shukla, Muhammad Aijaz Khan, Atique-ul-Rahman Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Adil Mahmood, Anas Khan, Haroon Muhammad Arshad, Ali-Hassan, Shahid Vassif (Wk), Ghazanfar Muhammad, and Muhammad Waleed.
As the countdown to the Asia Cup intensifies, all eyes will be on Hong Kong’s resilience and determination to make their fifth appearance a memorable one.
With experienced leadership and a squad eager to prove their mettle, this team is shaping up to be a compelling outsider in the 2025 tournament a true underdog with everything to play for.
