Hong Kong to Face Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2025 Opener

Cricket Hong Kong, China (CHK) has announced its 20-member squad for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025. The tournament is set to be hosted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28.

All-rounder Yasim Murtaza, who took over as captain of the Hong Kong men’s cricket team last December after Nizakat Khan stepped down, is ready for his first major tournament as the team’s leader.

He will receive support from a strong group of seasoned players, including Anshuman Rath, Babar Hayat, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Ehsan Khan, and former captain Nizakat Khan.

In other team news, top-order batsman Kinchit Shah has earned a recall to the squad after being absent for over two years. Shah last played a T20I for Hong Kong against Malaysia in March 2023.

Hong Kong, positioned in Group B, will kick off their tournament journey against Afghanistan on September 9 in Abu Dhabi.

Their subsequent two group matches will be against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on September 11 and 15, respectively.

Hong Kong last participated in the Asia Cup in the 2022 edition, which was contested in the T20I format.

They found themselves in Group A with Pakistan and India and were knocked out of the competition without securing a victory.

Hong Kong Squad for Asia Cup 2025:

Yasim Murtaza (c), Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali, Niazakat Khan Mohammad, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Marc Challu, Ayush Ashish Shukla, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Ateeq ul Rehman Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Adil Mehmood, Haroon Mohammad Arshad, Ali Hassan, Shahid Wasif, Ghazanfar Mohammad, Mohammad Waheed, Anas Khan, Ehsan Khan.