Thu Sep 11 15:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Hong Kong Eyes Asia Cup Upset After Leadership Shake-Up
**Hong Kong, [Date]** – Hong Kong is heading into the Asia Cup with a renewed sense of purpose, hoping to break their first-round exit streak after confirming their spot after victory over a favoured Nepal side in the third-place playoff of the 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup over a year ago. While familiar faces remain in the squad, a significant leadership change sees Yasim Murtaza taking over the captaincy from Nizakat Khan, with former Sri Lankan batter Kaushal Silva stepping in as head coach.
Despite consistent appearances, Hong Kong has struggled to make an impact in previous Asia Cup editions, but this year, they arrive with a settled unit buoyed by recent T20I experience, having won half of their 20 matches since qualifying.
The squad boasts a blend of youth and experience. Opener Anshuman Rath has been in impressive form, while veteran players like Babar Hayat (one of only two players to score a century in Asia Cup T20s), Nizakat Khan, and skipper Murtaza provide a solid foundation. Young pacer Ayush Shukla is also making waves, complemented by the reliable off-spin of Ehsan Khan.
While their recent Asia Pacific Cricket Champions Trophy campaign saw them lose to Malaysia on several occasions, including the final, Hong Kong is setting its sights higher for the Asia Cup. Realistically, success for the team will be defined not by winning the tournament, but by causing an upset against a major cricketing nation and potentially progressing past the first round for the first time.
The predicted starting XI includes Zeeshan Ali (wk), Anshuman Rath, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Yasim Murtaza (c), Kalhan Challu, Nasrulla Rana, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan, Ayush Shukla, and either Mohammad Ghazanfar or Ali Hasan.
All eyes will be on new captain Yasim Murtaza, whose all-round capabilities as a left-arm spinner and middle-order batsman are crucial to Hong Kong’s chances.
Hong Kong will play against Afghanistan on September 9th and Bangladesh on September 11th. Interestingly, Hong Kong holds a previous victory over Bangladesh from the 2014 T20 World Cup.
Many believe Sri Lanka may provide the best opportunity for an upset, especially considering their recent struggles in T20Is.
A successful Asia Cup campaign could mark a turning point for Hong Kong cricket, propelling them to a new level of competitiveness on the international stage.
First Piper 