Tanwir Afzal, Babar Hayat are first two picks for Hong Kong T20 Blitz – DTC named title sponsor
Contracted, under-19 and Premier League players take their places among the four franchises for the city’s inaugural pro Twenty20 tournament
Hong Kong captain Tanwir Afzal and big-hitting Babar Hayat were on Thursday snapped up in the first two picks for the city’s inaugural Twenty20 franchise-based tournament, with the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) also announcing mobile phone company DTC as the title sponsor.
Afzal was taken by Rude Bar Island Warriors, who earned the honour of the first pick because they led the other groups in silent bidding for the four franchises contesting the Hong Kong T20 Blitz on May 28 and 29 at Mission Road.
Hayat, Hong Kong’s go-to man when it comes to hitting fours and sixes, was the next player to be selected, by Kowloon Cantons. Hung Hom JD Jaguars went for Nizakat Khan in their first pick while youngster Anshuman Rath was taken by Lantau GII Galaxy Riders.
I think it will be an exciting tournament and you will see more sixes than in other games because the players know the ground very well
“I wasn’t expecting to go first pick,” said Afzal, who will line up for the Warriors alongside Nadeem Ahmed and Adil Mehmood from the HKCA’s contracted players and under-19 cricketer Raag Kapur.
“I think it will be an exciting tournament and you will see more sixes than in other games because the players know the ground very well.”
The first round of picks was for contracted players followed by Hong Kong Under-19 cricketers.
Max Abbott, the HKCA’s marketing and commercial director, said having DTC as title sponsor was a boost for the tournament.