Babar named vice-captain as Hong Kong squad for Asia Cup 2025 announced
Published - 22 Aug 2025, 06:35 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2025, 06:37 PM
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Cricket Hong Kong, China, on Friday, August 22, announced the 20-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 and Preparation Camp in the UAE. Yasim Murtaza has been named Hong Kong captain, while Babar Hayat will be his deputy.
Hong Kong, China, has booked their place in the Asia Cup after earning qualification through the ACC Premier Cup 2024. They secured their spot by crushing Nepal in the third-place playoff. The upcoming continental tournament will mark Hong Kong’s fifth overall appearance in the Asia Cup.
Hong Kong squad for Asia Cup 2025 announced
They have taken part in the four previous editions of the tournament back in 2004, 2008, 2018, and 2022, and now they are hoping to make a stronger impact under Yasim Murtaza, who is set for his first major assignment as skipper. The team will head to the UAE on August 24.
However, before the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, starting on September 9, the Hong Kong team will play T20 matches during their preparation camp in the UAE. Their newly appointed head coach, Kaushal Silva, a former Sri Lankan batter, will kick off his stint with the upcoming tournament.
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CHK said in an official statement, “We’re excited to announce that Team Hong Kong, China, will head to the UAE for an Asia Cup Preparation Camp. The tour will feature a series of competitive preparation matches and training sessions designed to fine-tune team strategies ahead of the prestigious ACC Asia Cup.”
Hong Kong, China have named a strong squad for the #ACCMensAsiaCup2025 🇭🇰
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) August 22, 2025
Yasim Murtaza will take on his first major assignment as skipper, with the experience of Rath, Nizakat, Babar, Aizaz and Ehsan forming the core around him. #ACC pic.twitter.com/0F2ibNJ1p2
Kaushal Silva aims to build a winning mindset ahead of Asia Cup 2025 with the Preparation Camp
Meanwhile, Kaushal Silva said that Hong Kong’s final preparations for the tournament will begin with the UAE tour, where they are going with 20 players. Silva noted that the wider squad will give him a chance to “assess each individual and provide players with the opportunity to hone their skills and build stronger bonds and a winning mentality within the group”.
The tour will see the squad train and play at multiple venues, with special focus on under-lights sessions and adapting to local pitch and weather conditions. The head coach believes these preparations are crucial to give the players real-match experience and confidence ahead of the big tournament.
He said that their preparation camp will be crucial in helping his team acclimatize to the weather and pitch conditions. They will train and play at multiple venues, with special focus on under-lights training to gain valuable experience that will be extremely beneficial for the players.
We are pleased to announce the Hong Kong, China Men’s Squad for the upcoming Prep Tour ahead of the @Asian Cricket Council Men’s Asia Cup 2025.
— Cricket Hong Kong, China (@CricketHK) August 22, 2025
This tour represents a vital stage in our preparations, providing the squad with the opportunity to refine strategies, strengthen team… pic.twitter.com/BUZGYnxyVn
Kaushal Silva says every player must earn their spot
At the end, Silva said that he is clear about his mission, saying every player has to earn their spot as they just don’t want to participate in the Asia Cup 2025, but to compete, win games, and enjoy the experience. They will open their campaign against Afghanistan on September 9.
The coach signed off by saying, “The strength of this squad lies in the balance we have built, combining experienced senior players with exciting young talent. This combination is essential for success in a tournament of this magnitude, and I have full confidence in this group to represent Hong Kong, China, with pride, resilience, and ambition.”
Here’s the Hong Kong squad for the Asia Cup 2025:
Yasim Murtaza (C), Babar Hayat (VC), Zeeshan Ali (WK), Shahid Wasif (WK), Niazakat Khan Mohammad, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Ehsan Khan, Kalhan Marc Challu, Ayush Ashish Shukla, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Ateeq Ul Rehman Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Adil Mehmood, Anas Khan, Haroon Mohammad Arshad, Ali-Hassan, Ghazanfar Mohammad, Mohammad Waheed
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