Budding all-rounder Jason Yuan pushes the boundaries on the pitch
Youngster could be the face of cricket's future in the city after the 17-year-old was called up to play for Hong Kong in September's Asian Games
Jason Yuan is still pinching himself after being chosen to play for Hong Kong at the Asian Games in Incheon.
The budding 17-year-old all-rounder is being heralded as the vanguard of the new push into the local Chinese community by the Hong Kong Cricket Association.
"I was very surprised when I first got a text from Charlie [Burke, national coach] saying he wanted to talk to me about something exciting the day before the Asian Games squad was announced," says Yuan.
I am working hard now to hopefully earn my debut at the Asian Games, and hopefully I will not make too many mistakes
"He told me that I was picked. I was very shocked and did not know what to say as I didn't expect to get picked because I didn't want to get my hopes up.
"I am working hard now to hopefully earn my debut at the Asian Games, and hopefully I will not make too many mistakes if I get the chance," he said.
Yuan is one of three first-time call-ups in the 15-strong Hong Kong men's squad, alongside leg-spinner Mohammad Saad, 17, and wicketkeeper-batsman Furqan Tahir, 19.
While Saad and Tahir might have cricket in their genes, it is all new for Yuan and the HKCA is hopeful he will carry the banner proudly for the local community who have been targeted as a vital part of the future of the game, especially with the ICC looking closely at what steps are being taken to develop the sport now that Hong Kong is a high-performance member and have earned elite ODI (one-day international) status.