The Hong Kong Asia Cup 2025 campaign carries both pressure and hope. This is the team’s fifth appearance at the Asia Cup, and after four winless runs, Hong Kong enters with a new captain, an experienced batting order, and a highly efficient spin unit. The question remains: will this finally be the year Hong Kong claims their maiden victory?
How Hong Kong Qualified for the Asia Cup 2025
Hong Kong’s route to the tournament came through the 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup.
- They beat Qatar and Malaysia in the group stage, finishing second.
- Despite losing to Oman in the semi-finals, they bounced back with a statement win against a higher-ranked Nepal in the third-place playoff.
- That victory booked their ticket for the Asia Cup 2025.
This resilience highlighted their ability to respond under pressure—something they’ll need again against Full Member giants.
Hong Kong’s Asia Cup History: Four Appearances, No Wins
The Hong Kong Asia Cup journey is one of persistence:
| Year | Format | Result | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | ODI | First-round exit | Debut appearance |
| 2008 | ODI | First-round exit | Qualified again, but no wins |
| 2018 | ODI | First-round exit | Ehsan Khan dismissed Rohit Sharma |
| 2022 | T20I | First-round exit | Competed well vs India & Pakistan |
| 2025 | T20I | Pending | Fifth appearance |
Despite near-misses and flashes of brilliance, Hong Kong remain winless in Asia Cup history. The Hong Kong Asia Cup 2025 campaign offers a fresh chance to rewrite that record.
Recent Form: Mixed but Promising Signs
Hong Kong have played plenty of competitive cricket in the past year:
- March 2025 – Tri-Series in Malaysia
Reached the final, beating Malaysia twice, before falling to Bahrain. - April 2025 – Quadrangular Series at Home
Inconsistent results: lost to Kuwait, beat Qatar, rained out vs Nepal, finished third overall. - Asia-Pacific Champions Trophy
Wins over Samoa and Singapore, but lost three times to Malaysia, including the rain-hit final.
While inconsistent, Hong Kong showed their ability to bounce back from setbacks—a theme that might carry into the Asia Cup 2025.
Key Players to Watch in Hong Kong Asia Cup 2025
The squad blends experience with tactical spin bowling. Four batters and two key spinners form the core.
Yasim Murtaza – New Captain, Reliable Allrounder
The left-arm spinner has taken 70 wickets in 63 T20Is at an economy of 6.33. His leadership will be tested in pressure situations, especially when guiding Hong Kong through tight middle overs.
Ehsan Khan – Hong Kong’s Spin Spearhead
With 127 wickets in 94 T20Is at a stellar economy of 6.26, Ehsan Khan is Hong Kong’s all-time leading wicket-taker. His control and ability to dismiss top-order batters make him central to any upset hopes.
Experienced Batting Core
Hong Kong’s top order features four established run-getters:
| Player | T20I Runs | Role | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nizakat Khan | 1,000+ | Opener | Aggressive starter |
| Babar Hayat | 1,000+ | Top-order anchor | Reliable stroke player |
| Anshy Rath | 1,000+ | Wicketkeeper-batter | Classical technique |
| Zeeshan Ali | 1,000+ | Middle-order hitter | 141.96 |
Zeeshan Ali’s strike rate stands out. At nearly 142, he is Hong Kong’s designated aggressor who can shift momentum in T20 cricket.
Fixtures: Hong Kong’s Challenging Group B
Hong Kong face a tough draw in Group B:
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| vs Afghanistan | September 9 | Abu Dhabi |
| vs Bangladesh | September 11 | Abu Dhabi |
| vs Sri Lanka | September 15 | Dubai |
Facing spin-heavy Afghanistan, pace-rich Bangladesh, and tournament veterans Sri Lanka will test every aspect of Hong Kong’s game.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Hong Kong Asia Cup 2025 Team
Strengths
- Spin Unit: Ehsan Khan and Yasim Murtaza form a miserly duo capable of choking opponents.
- Experienced Batting Order: Four batters with over 1,000 T20I runs provide stability.
- Underdog Factor: Playing without heavy expectations allows freedom.
Weaknesses
- Lack of Depth: Beyond the top four batters and spinners, the squad lacks proven match-winners.
- Inconsistency: Struggled to sustain momentum in recent multi-team tournaments.
- Challenging Group: Facing three Full Members reduces margin for error.
Can Hong Kong Be the Giant Slayers of Asia Cup 2025?
For Hong Kong, success is not about lifting the trophy—it’s about securing that elusive first win. T20 cricket, with its volatility, offers hope. A single explosive innings from Zeeshan Ali or a spin choke from Ehsan Khan could flip the script against bigger teams.
Upsets in Associate cricket aren’t rare—think Namibia at the T20 World Cup or Afghanistan’s early rise. If pitches slow down in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Hong Kong’s spin-heavy approach becomes a legitimate weapon.
The dream scenario: Hong Kong contain Afghanistan or Bangladesh to a below-par total, then ride on Babar Hayat’s composure and Zeeshan Ali’s firepower to script history.
Hong Kong Asia Cup 2025 Squad
Full Squad:
Yasim Murtaza (capt), Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali, Niazakat Khan, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshy Rath, Kalhan Challu, Ayush Shukla, Aizaz Khan, Ateeq Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Ali Hassan, Shahid Wasif, Mohammad Ghazanfar, Mohammad Waheed, Ehsan Khan.
Will Fifth Time Be the Charm?
The Hong Kong Asia Cup 2025 campaign is a story of persistence and belief. Four failed attempts weigh on their shoulders, but this squad carries balance: an experienced top four, a captain who leads with spin, and a bowling attack capable of squeezing even elite opponents.
Victory will require a perfect storm—discipline with the ball, responsibility with the bat, and fearlessness in clutch moments. If those elements align, Hong Kong could finally deliver their long-awaited breakthrough.
Fifth time might indeed be the charm.
