Strike bowler Khalid Khan is in danger of missing Hong Kong's second match in the ACC Fast Track Countries Tournament against Malaysia starting on Friday at the Hong Kong Cricket Club.
Khan has multiple injuries on his left bowling arm - he injured his fingers while attempting to take a catch in a Saturday League game a fortnight ago and is also suffering from a painful elbow. The latter seems to be the cause for most concern with the paceman unable to bowl more than two overs last Saturday for the Islanders.
'I felt a very bad pain in my left elbow and could only bowl a couple of overs. When I tried to bowl fast, the pain felt worse. There is some swelling around my elbow too,' said Khan.
It will be a big blow to Hong Kong if he is unable to play against Malaysia. In Hong Kong's opening match in the five-team round robin competition at the Kowloon Cricket Club, Khan took a match-bag of seven for 103 on a pitch offering little assistance to fast bowlers. His brave effort coupled with superb spells from spinners Najeeb Amar and Rahul Sharma, who both took six wickets each in the match, enabled Hong Kong to bowl Singapore out twice and win by 197 runs.
'I desperately hope my elbow gets better soon for I really want to play against Malaysia. I have never played against them and I want to bowl against them and beat them. I hope I'm fit to play,' added Khan.
If Khan is doubtful, Afzaal Haider could be drafted in. 'We will pick from the same squad of players that were available for the Singapore match. The only change is the unavailability of Roy Lamsam who has gone back to Australia to continue his studies. But we won't be bringing in anyone as there are 14 players to pick from,' said Danny Lai, Hong Kong Cricket Association general manager.