Published: Jan 28, 2016, 07:43 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 29, 2016, 02:33 AM (IST)
Hong Kong Cricket Association have declared their two 15-man squads for the forthcoming prestigious World Twenty20 and ACC Asia Cup qualifiers. They are currently placed at the 12th position in the shortest format of the game and the couple of big tournaments provide a great opportunity to develop the game on home soil. Also read: Irfan Ahmed fixing approach is a threat to cricket’s soul, says Hong Kong cricket chief
Tanvir Afzal will once again lead the side with Mark Chapman making a comeback as vice-captain after a prolific run with Auckland in the New Zealand domestic competition.
Former Australian Campbell has been drafted in to the World T20 squad by Hong Kong but won’t be available for the ACC Asia qualifiers.
Campbell moved to Hong Kong in 2012 to render his services as head coach at the Kowloon Cricket Club and will certainly affix some precious knowledge to the young side.
Campbell was quoted in a report from hkcricket.org saying,” I’m pretty nervous to be honest. I’m there to mentor them as I have done for so long … It has been a while (since I played international cricket), but if you look at my numbers I think I’m still one of the best batsmen in Hong Kong.”
“My Grandmother is 100% Chinese and my great grandfather was actually born in Kowloon. Going through my family trees it does make me feel a part of this country and especially as my son was born here, I feel very proud to represent Hong Kong,” Campbell added.
Coach Simon Cook mentioned Campbell’s immediate acquaintance of the budding players along with numbers in domestic cricket makes his presence significant. Cook said, “His form in Hong Kong has been good in Premier League and Sunday games for Kowloon Cricket Club.”
“One of the things that we learned about our last WT20 tournament is that having that ability to think clearly in high pressure situations is critical and Ryan’s experience will be an enormous help in that regard,” Cook added.
Campbell will prolong his job as batting coach for the tour and Campbell says that a near friend of his was influential behind his reappearance.
“Brad Hogg is still going around for the Scorchers and I must admit he’s inspired me a bit to say age is just a number. It’s going to be an exciting couple of weeks.”
To sculpt a spot in the ACC Asia Cup, Hong Kong should outplay their group members Afghanistan, UAE and Oman and top the qualifying group. Hong Kong have been pinched with Zimbabwe, Scotland and Afghanistan in the Super 10 stage for the ICC World T20.
ACC Asia Cup squad: Tanwir Afzal (PA) (Captain), Mark Chapman (HKCC) (Vice Captain), Haseeb Amjad (USRC/MCC), Nadeem Ahmed (LSW), Tanwir Ahmed (KCC), Waqas Barkat (KCC), Christopher Carter (KCC), Babar Hayat (LSW), Nizakat Khan (HKCC), Aizaz Khan (PA), Waqas Khan (LSW), Adil Mehmood (KCC), Kinchit Shah (KCC), Ninad Shah (KCC), Anshuman Rath (HKCC).
ICC World Twenty20 squad:Tanwir Afzal (PA) (Captain), Mark Chapman (HKCC) (Vice Captain), Haseeb Amjad (USRC/MCC), Nadeem Ahmed (LSW), Tanwir Ahmed (KCC), James Atkinson (KCC), Waqas Barkat (KCC), Ryan Campbell (KCC), Christopher Carter (KCC), Babar Hayat (LSW), Nizakat Khan (HKCC), Aizaz Khan (Pakistan Asc), Waqas Khan (LSW), Kinchit Shah (KCC), Anshuman Rath (HKCC).
