Anshuman Rath, 19, promoted to vice-captain of Hong Kong cricket team
The squad are preparing for World Cup-related qualifying games against Nepal and a four-day match against test nation Afghanistan
Teenager Anshuman Rath has been promoted to vice-captain of the Hong Kong team as they prepare for important games over the next few months, including ICC World Cup qualifiers.
The 19-year-old all rounder has been one of the form players this year and takes over from Aizaz Khan as deputy to captain Babar Hayat as Cricket Hong Kong looks to rotate the role.
“We have historically rotated round the role of vice-captain to allow us to identify potential future leaders,” coach Simon Cook said. “Aizaz Khan performed the role well last year and the experience will enable him to still be a leader within the group.
“Anshie has become an integral part of the national team over the past 18 months and has grown not only as a player with his performances but as a really good tactician.
“Anshie brings different attributes to the role of vice-captain and his already-good relationship with Babar and the rest of the team aligned with his goal-oriented focus will help the team continue the drive forward.”
Hong Kong host Nepal in a series that features two ICC World Cricket League fixtures on October 14 and 15, which are crucial in the qualifying process for the World Cup. They also face new test nation Afghanistan in a home ICC Intercontinental Cup four-day fixture from October 20-23. In addition, the squad will undertake a preparation tour to Perth, Australia.
One player missing from the squad is experienced spinner Nadeem Ahmed, who is taking a break from full-time cricket to focus on other career pursuits.
“The squad for this series has been hard to select. I challenged our national squads to raise their standards and they have done that to the point now where selected 14 players is really difficult,” Cook said.
“Jhatha Subramanyan has come into the squad with a real chance of playing and taking the second spinners spot and we also see the return of Jamie Atkinson for the WCL games.”
Pre-Tour (Perth Australia – September 21 to October 2)
Babar Hayat (LSWCC) Captain
Anshuman Rath (Hong Kong Cricket Club) (Vice Captain)
Chris Carter (Kowloon CC)
Nizakat Khan (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
Shahid Wasif (LSWCC)
Ehsan Khan (LSWCC)
Aizaz Khan (Kowloon CC)
Waqas Khan (LSWCC)
Ehsan Nawaz (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
Tanveer Ahmed (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
Kyle Christie (Midland Guildford)
Akbar Khan (Sri Lanka CC)
Adil Mehmood (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
Cameron McAuslan (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
ICC World Cricket League Round 6 (Hong Kong vs Nepal – October 13-15)
Babar Hayat (LSWCC) Captain
Anshuman Rath (Hong Kong Cricket Club) Vice Captain
Jamie Atkinson (Kowloon CC)
Chris Carter (Kowloon CC)
Nizakat Khan (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
Shahid Wasif (LSWCC)
Ehsan Khan (LSWCC)
Aizaz Khan (Kowloon CC)
Waqas Khan (LSWCC)
Tanwir Afzal (Pakistan Association CC)
Ehsan Nawaz (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
Tanveer Ahmed (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
Jhatha Subramanyan (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
Kyle Christie (Midland Guildford)
ICC I-Cup (Hong Kong v Afghanistan – October 20-23)
Babar Hayat (LSWCC) Captain
Anshuman Rath Hong Kong Cricket Club (Vice Captain)
Matt Stiller (Kowloon CC)
Chris Carter (Kowloon CC)
Nizakat Khan (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
Shahid Wasif (LSWCC)
Ehsan Khan (LSWCC)
Aizaz Khan (Kowloon CC)
Waqas Khan (LSWCC)
Ehsan Nawaz (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
Tanveer Ahmed (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
Jhatha Subramanyan (Hong Kong Cricket Club)
Kyle Christie (Midland Guildford)
TBC – Leading U19s performer on the upcoming U19 Tourx
