appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Ira Gorawara

Hong Kong are staring down their two biggest men’s cricket showdowns of the year, in which victories could print their ticket to the final stage of qualifying for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Maintaining their unblemished qualifying record in Kuala Lumpur through Saturday’s match against Malaysia and Monday’s clash with Kuwait would assure the city a berth in the regional final alongside Nepal and Oman – both granted byes after their 2024 World Cup appearances.
Coach Simon Willis’ Hong Kong squad are yet to be challenged in their Asia qualifying pathway, with Maldives being their latest victims on Tuesday.
Skipper Nizakat Khan surpassed 2000 career T20I runs, hammering 35 off 13 deliveries to lead Hong Kong to a nine-wicket victory.
“Since Oman [the 2024 Asia Cup qualifiers], consistency has been key for me,” Khan said. “I have been performing, but in phases. I analysed my game, where I was lacking – especially my strike rate; that is the key in T20 cricket. I’ve worked on it and at the moment, it’s coming up really well.”

Spinner Yasim Murtaza said Khan had been inspirational.
“Nizakat has been outstanding,” Murtaza said. “His performance has consistently impressed us, both with the bat and in the field, and his ability to stay calm under pressure has been crucial.
“As a captain, he leads by example … encouraging everyone to contribute.”
Murtaza himself has been a driving force, racking up 18 wickets in nine games in the past three weeks.
“As one of the senior players, I aim to set an example both on and off the field,” he said. “I prioritise staying calm and supportive, especially during tough moments.”
Ehsan Khan, Murtaza’s veteran fellow spinner, has become Hong Kong’s first player to pass 100 T20I wickets.
“[Ehsan and Yasim] have been phenomenal and Ehsan reaching 100 wickets is very, very special,” Nizakat said, adding that the tree days since the Maldives match had been much-needed for rest, recovery and, on the last day, rigorous training.
“The boys are looking in very good shape and it’s a good time to have these three days,” Khan said. We can make sure our bodies are fresh and ready for the Malaysia game.”

Murtaza said batting depth and bowling cohesion had been instrumental but fielding needed work.
“We need to reduce errors and be more focused in the field,” Murtaza said. “We need to start making sharper choices under pressure.”
Since hitting the road on August 10, Hong Kong have lost their three meetings with Kuwait, in the Tri-Nations Cup in Malaysia.
“If we lose [again on Monday], it doesn’t matter as long as we give 150 per cent … that is all I’m asking for,” Khan said.


Indian Premier League club bosses, Hong Kong cricket aim ‘to go global’ with Sixes

Hong Kong primed for T20 Asia Cup India cricket clash, stars atoning for 2024 heartbreak

Taking sport into schools at heart of Hong Kong development plan, but is it enough?

Hong Kong cricketers have ‘transformational’ chance after sealing Asian Games spot

Cricket Hong Kong

T20 World Cup spot is prize for Hong Kong as they aim for final stage of Asian qualifying

Hong Kong’s captain Nizakat Khan raises his bat after a half-century against Kuwait. Photo: Cricket Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong face Malaysia on Saturday and Kuwait on Monday in qualifying. Photo: Cricket Hong Kong, China 

Ehsan Khan reached his 100th T20I wicket against Malaysia in the Tri-Nations Cup. Photo: Cricket Hong Kong, China 

Hong Kong head coach says failure to reach next stage of T20 World Cup not an option

Nizakat Khan (left) is in form with with the bat, while Hong Kong are waiting on the fitness of Anshuman Rath (right). Photo:  May Tse.

Hong Kong’s cricketers have been told about the imperative of succeeding in Malaysia. Photo: X/MalaysiaCricket.

Hong Kong staying positive despite second loss to Kuwait in T20 series, says Rath

Hong Kong’s Anshuman Rath says the team are focused on making the final of the Malaysia Tri-Nations T20i Series. Photo: May Tse

Yasim Murtaza (left) ran through the Malaysia middle order during his side’s comprehensive six-wicket win. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Hong Kong make disappointing return to international cricket with 4-wicket loss to Kuwait

Kuwait beat Hong Kong by four wickets, with Bilal Tahir remaining not out at 36 to steer his team home. Photo: X/@MalaysiaCricket

The defeat came a day after coach Simon Willis said Hong Kong were over their fielding woes. Photo: X/@MalaysiaCricket

Hong Kong before the T20i Series match against Kuwait at Selangor Turf Club. Photo: Cricket Hong Kong

Hong Kong Sixes returns: 12 countries, 3 days of action-packed cricket in city

South Africa celebrate winning the Hong Kong World Sixes 2017 at Kowloon Cricket Club. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Shane Warne was among the big names to take part in Hong Kong Sixes, here in the 2007 event. Photo: Robert Ng

Sport

Cricket

City’s men aim to overcome Malaysia and Kuwait to reach final phase, but the Kuwaitis have beaten them three times in recent weeks


City’s men aim to overcome Malaysia and Kuwait to reach final phase, but the Kuwaitis have beaten them three times in recent weeks.


ICC (International Cricket Council)

T20 World Cup spot is prize for Hong Kong as they aim for final stage of Asian qualifying

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}City’s men aim to overcome Malaysia and Kuwait to reach final phase, but the Kuwaitis have beaten them three times in recent weeks

City’s men aim to overcome Malaysia and Kuwait to reach final phase, but the Kuwaitis have beaten them three times in recent weeks