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Paul McNamara

Nizakat Khan said Hong Kong’s shock victory over Afghanistan ‘A’ in Oman this week had “completely changed morale in the dressing room”, ahead of a critical sequence of one-day fixtures next month.
Captain Nizakat, who has nearly 900 T20 international runs in 2024, continued his exemplary form, scoring 61 off 53 balls, as Hong Kong chased down a target of 132 with three balls to spare.
Slow left-arm spin bowler Anas Khan returned the extraordinary figures of six for 12, as Afghanistan were dismissed for 131 in 19.5 overs.
Nizakat said countless hours spent refining his technique against spin on bowling machines recently bought by Hong Kong cricket had taken his game “to the next level”.
And the 32-year-old’s hard graft was replicated among his teammates, he said, after shortcomings were identified in losses to Bangladesh ‘A’ and Sri Lanka ‘A’ at the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, which Hong Kong exited following the group stage, despite the success against Afghanistan on Tuesday.

“We started well with the ball in both those matches, but in the second half of the innings we didn’t execute our plans,” Nizakat said. “Against Afghanistan, we were consistent until the last over. After two tight games, we corrected the areas where we were lacking. Our fielding improved, too, but there are still things to work on.
“It’s not about winning every game, it’s about growing as a team. I am very proud of the guys for how we improved.”
Hong Kong’s next assignment is November’s 50-over Cricket World Cup Challenge League in Uganda. They will play five matches as they attempt to regain the one-day international status they lost in 2018.
The skipper, along with wicketkeeper-batsman Zeeshan Ali and off-spinner Ehsan Khan, will miss a pre-tournament camp in South Africa to return home to play in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes. The Sixes finish on November 3, four days before Hong Kong begin their tournament against Bahrain, roughly 9,000 kilometres away in Africa on November 7.
“I know it will be challenging but I am confident all three of us will be mentally ready,” said Nizakat, who will play a 50-over game for his club team, Wanderers, on Sunday.
“I am very excited about the Sixes. I have played it three times, but this is my first as captain. It is a privilege to lead Hong Kong on the big stage, and it is something very special in my life.
“I am grateful to my parents, to my wife, my family members, friends and schoolteachers for everything they have done to help me reach this position. My father is no longer with us and I would have loved him to watch me in the Sixes.”
Moving nimbly between various forms of cricket is part of the job for the modern-day player, and Nizakat would like to add red-ball action to his diet. Hong Kong last played first-class cricket in the now defunct ICC Intercontinental Cup in 2017.
“Red-ball cricket is a test of your character, your approach and your mentality, it tests you as a player,” Nizakat said. “It is my dream to play first-class cricket and to bat for hours, Unfortunately, we don’t have that opportunity now and our goal is to bring back ODI status.”
To achieve that objective, the batting of the relentless Nizakat, who made his Hong Kong debut in 2012, will be key.
“For a few years, my game broke down, but I have done a lot of hard work on my fitness and batting and I am in a very good place mentally,” Nizakat said.
“Playing against top-quality sides this week helped me see where my game is at … I can still improve my power hitting against quality fast bowlers. They don’t give you balls in your areas, so you have to work on playing yorkers and slower balls. I am going in the right direction and my consistency is getting there.”


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Hong Kong cricket captain says Afghanistan win ‘morale changing’, harbours ‘first-class dream’

Captain Nizakat Khan’s fluent 61 led Hong Kong to victory over Afghanistan ‘A’. Photo: Nizakat Khan

Nizakat is returning to Hong Kong for the Sixes before dashing to join his teammates in Uganda. Photo: Nizakat Khan

Hong Kong playing for pride against Afghanistan after Sri Lanka A loss in Asia tournament

Left hander Yasim Murtaza top scored for Hong Kong in their loss to Sri Lanka ‘A’. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Babar Hayat added an innings of 38 to the 85 he clubbed against Bangladesh. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong’s big-hitting Babar Hayat eyes franchise chance after Asian tournament fireworks

The destructive Babar Hayat is flourishing after being moved to No 4 in Hong Kong’s batting order. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hayat (right) is one of the leading run scorers in T20 international cricket this year. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Nizakat Khan (centre), who is also in fine form, will play in the Hong Kong Sixes. Photo: Cricket Hong Kong, China

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Todd Astle will lead the New Zealand squad at next month’s Sixes in Hong Kong. Photo: AFP

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Dubai Capitals’ Robin Uthappa plays a shot during the International League T20 (ILT20) match against Gulf Giants at Dubai International Stadium in 2023. Photo: AFP

South Africa captain Aubrey Swanepoel reacts after South Africa win the Hong Kong Sixes in 2017. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Joe Root was among Shahbaz Nadeem’s illustrious scalps in a 2021 Test match in Chennai. Photo: EPA-EFE

Sport

Cricket

City team exit ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, but three high-level contests serve as sound preparation for critical Uganda tournament


City team exit ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, but three high-level contests serve as sound preparation for critical Uganda tournament.


Hong Kong Cricket Sixes

Hong Kong cricket captain says Afghanistan win ‘morale changing’, harbours ‘first-class dream’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}City team exit ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, but three high-level contests serve as sound preparation for critical Uganda tournament

City team exit ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, but three high-level contests serve as sound preparation for critical Uganda tournament