HOMETOWN HEROES EYE HONG KONG SIXES JACKPOT
 Hong Kong, October 16, 2010 – Hong Kong will hope to go one better at The Karp Group & PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes next month, and will be back with five of the players who stunned the world by reaching the Cup finals before losing to South Africa on the final ball of the 2009 tournament.
Najeeb Amar will spearhead a team bristling with familiar faces for the November 6-7 tournament which is also presented by sponsors Unirich at the Kowloon Cricket Club.
Along with left-arm spinner Najeeb, the others who made Hong Kong proud 12 months ago and will be returning are Munir Dar, Irfan Ahmed, Tanvir Afzaal and Hussain Butt. The two new faces in the squad are left-handed batsman Peter Wooden and teenage medium-pacer Aizaz Khan.
“We came close last year before losing on the final delivery. We hope to make amends and go all the way,” said Najeeb a veteran of nine Hong Kong Sixes campaigns.
Hong Kong hearts were crushed last year when South Africa, needing five runs from the last ball in a gripping Cup final, won with Farhaan Behardien hitting a six.
“It is going to be harder this time for everyone will know that we not pushovers any more,” Najeeb said. “But we have a good side once again and I’m confident we can do well once more.”
There will be added pressure on Hong Kong to perform this year, with the fans benefiting from a deal by official carrier Jet Airways, whereby if Hong Kong wins the Cup or reaches the final, ticketholders will be eligible for massively discounted flights on both economy and business classes to Mumbai, New Delhi, Colombo and Johannesburg.
All-rounder Wooden, who has made a mark for KCC this season with his powerful batting and left-arm spinners is expected to strengthen the side while the other debutant, 17-year-old Khan has been picking up wickets regularlry for his club Pakistan Association in the local leagues.
“They are both good additions to the team and will strengthen the team while the rest have all played a number of times and they know what is needed,” Najeeb said.
While every player can make weighty contributions with the bat, Hong Kong will have a good mix in the bowling department with Najeeb, Dar and Wooden all handy left-arm spinners while the pace department will be led by Irfan, Afzaal and Khan. Hussain Butt will be the designated wicket-keeper.
“We have a good blend of experience and raw talent and there is a good mix of all-rounders. Our aim is to improve on last year’s performance,” Najeeb added.
Hong Kong are pooled with England, Australia and defending champions South Africa in the preliminary Bradman Group while the other pool, the Sobers Group comprises, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
The tournament got an added boost with Unirich returing as a sponsor. “We are glad to be associated once again with the Hong Kong Sixes,” said Sohan Goenka, managing director, Unirich Group.
Meanwhile Roy Lamsam will lead a Hong Kong development squad in the exhibition match against China’s Asian Games-bound on the Sunday of the tournament.
Hong Kong Sixes Squad: Najeeb Amar, Munir Dar, Irfan Ahmed, Tanvir Afzaal, Peter Wooden, Hussain Butt, Aizaz Khan.
Hong Kong Development squad: Roy Lamsam (c), Li Kai-ming, Chan Ka-ming, Siegfried Wai, Nizakat Khan, Asif Khan, Jason Lui
– ENDS –
|
