Jamie Atkinson stands down as Hong Kong skipper at the ICC World Cricket League Championship
The 24-year-old reveals shock decision following dominant one-day win on tour in Namibia, Africa
Jamie Atkinson has stepped down as Hong Kong captain after a poor run of form took its toll on the tour of Africa.
Atkinson, 24, dropped the bombshell despite Hong Kong hammering Namibia by eight wickets to level the two-match one-day series in the ICC World Cricket League Championship in Windhoek.
A string of poor scores, including knocks of one and two in Hong Kong's 114-run loss to Namibia in the first ICC Intercontinental Cup four-day match, pushed the wicketkeeper/batsman into resigning.
It is a decision he is truly comfortable with ... I have a great relationship with Jamie who has been instrumental in the success of the Hong Kong team
"It is a tough job and it has taken its toll. My performances over the last few series haven't been the standard I set for myself or the team," Atkinson said.
Atkinson made his debut for Hong Kong at the age of 17 against Pakistan in the 2008 Asia Cup and has been at the helm for the past 31/2 years. Fast bowler Tanwir Afzal will take over the captaincy on a temporary basis.
Head coach Charlie Burke, described Atkinson as "Hong Kong's most successful captain" and praised him for his leadership in raising Hong Kong to unprecedented heights on the international scene.
"It is a decision he is truly comfortable with. I have, and will continue to have, a great relationship with Jamie who has been instrumental in the success of the Hong Kong team," Burke said.
Hong Kong are among the top eight associate members in the world taking part in the ICC Intercontinental Cup competition. They are also in the ICC's high- performance programme and receive millions of dollars in funding annually from the world governing body.
Last year, Hong Kong were awarded one-day international status. And it was under Atkinson's captaincy that Hong Kong pulled off their biggest win against Bangladesh in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20.
