Tue Sep 09 13:30:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Kaushal Silva, former Sri Lankan opener, has taken on the role of head coach for the Hong Kong cricket team just weeks before the Asia Cup. He’s jumped straight into preparations in Dubai, focusing on adapting players to outdoor conditions and instilling a mindset of “fearless but smart cricket.” Silva aims to build relationships with his players and leverage his experience from Sri Lanka and Australia to overcome resource limitations and guide Hong Kong towards regaining ODI status. He emphasizes controlling the controllables and fostering a competitive spirit, prioritizing building relationships to get the best out of each player.

**News Article:**

**Silva Faces Baptism by Fire as Hong Kong Coach Ahead of Asia Cup**

Dubai, UAE – Former Sri Lankan opener Kaushal Silva has begun his tenure as the head coach of the Hong Kong cricket team amidst the scorching Dubai heat and with a whirlwind preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup. Silva, who arrived in Dubai just two weeks ago, has been thrust into the deep end, immediately immersed in planning sessions and match simulations.

“It’s been a baptism by fire,” Silva told ESPNcricinfo, noting he hasn’t even visited Hong Kong yet. His focus has been on acclimating the squad to outdoor conditions and instilling a new mindset. “If we want to go on a journey to regain ODI status, we have to change our mindset. No one is going to hand us anything.”

Silva, who previously coached in Australia, is drawing on his experiences to overcome the challenges of working with an Associate team and limited resources. He’s prioritizing building relationships with his players, holding one-on-one chats to understand their motivations and training habits. “Managing personalities is everything,” he said. “How I get the best out of one player might be completely different to how I get the best out of another.”

Silva’s coaching philosophy focuses on “fearless but smart cricket,” emphasizing tactical adjustments and minimizing errors. Hong Kong has won two of their four practice games, demonstrating the initial impact of Silva’s approach.

Hong Kong’s Asia Cup campaign begins with matches against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, followed by a highly anticipated game against Silva’s former team, Sri Lanka. “Of course it’s exciting,” Silva admitted. “But for us, it’s just another game. From day one, I told the boys: we are here to compete, not just to make up the numbers.”

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