‘It’s messed up our batting line-up’ – Hong Kong lose Ahsan Abbasi ahead of ICC World Cup qualifier against Scotland
Middle-order batsman returns home after suffering a knee injury during a warm-up game in Zimbabwe
A knee injury to key batsman Ahsan Abbasi has thrown Hong Kong’s selection process into disarray as they prepare to take on Scotland in their first match of the ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old had forced his way into the senior cricket squad after some outstanding domestic displays but his dream of playing on the world stage vanished after twisting his knee during a warm-up game in Harare.
Abbasi had settled smoothly into a middle-order role during the lead-up matches in South Africa and Zimbabwe but was forced to return to Hong Kong after a scan showed a meniscus tear. He is expected to be out for four to six weeks.
He is replaced in the squad by experienced Hong Kong international Kinchit Shah.
“Our preparations have been good but Ahsan’s injury has really thrown our selection up in the air,” said head coach Simon Cook on Monday ahead the match at the Bulawayo Athletic Club. “When we went through our prep talk we were really quite focused on which players would play in certain areas.