Hong Kong emerging players to take on Philippines National team

The Hong Kong A Squad and Under-19s Squad players will get an opportunity to play against the touring Philippines National side in two T20s and a One-Dayer next month as part of the East-Asia Pacific's 6th ranked T20 team's preparations for upcoming tournaments.

The East-Asia Pacific (EAP) region which includes the likes of PNG, Vanuatu, Fiji, Japan and Samoa has become stronger in recent years. PNG is now ranked 19th in the world (one place above Hong Kong) while Vanuatu recently gained promotion to the ICC World Cricket League Division 6 after making it to the final of the Division 7 tournament in Botswana. While the Philippines National Team doesn't rate in the ICC World Cricket League structure, it is hoped that the National Team's tour to Hong Kong will go a long way towards their development while also helping to raise the profile of Philippines cricket.

The matches against the Philippines National Team will provide a final opportunity for the Hong Kong A Squad and Under-19s Squad players to impress the Hong Kong National Selectors before the 2013-14 National Squad of 20 players is announced on 1st July 2013.

Regarding the upcoming tour, Hong Kong's National Coach Charlie Burke said, "Before coming to Hong Kong I was employed as an ICC Development Officer and I had the opportunity to work with the Philippines Cricket Association as part of my coverage in the EAP region. I saw first hand the challenges they faced with facilities and getting quality opposition to play against. I think the fact we are hosting them next month is a sign of how important it is for all ICC member countries to help each other to develop the game globally, not just in our own backyards."

"With such a big year in front of us with ICC World Cup Qualifiers, it will also give myself and the selectors a final chance to look at our boys in action before we name our final squad for 2013-14," Burke added.

The following is the schedule for the Philippines National Team tour and the Hong Kong team selections for each match:

Saturday, 1st June v. Hong Kong A (50-overs ODI rules) at Mission Road

• 0830 - Warm Ups commence
• 0930 - 1st innings
• 1245 - Innings break
• 1330 - 2nd innings
• 1645 - Game completed

Sunday, 2nd June v. Hong Kong Invitational XI (T20) at Mission Road

• 0800 - Warm ups commence
• 0900 - 1st innings
• 1020 - Innings break
• 1040 - 2nd innings
• 1200 - Game completed

Sunday, 2nd June v. Hong Kong Under-19s (T20) at Mission Road

• 1200 - Warm ups commence
• 1300 - 1st innings
• 1420 - Innings break
• 1440 - 2nd innings
• 1600 - Game completed

Hong Kong A Squad (Saturday, 1st June - One Day Match)

1. Roy Lamsam (Captain)
2. Muhammad Khan (WK)
3. Ankur Sharma (Vice Captain)
4. Dylan Deering
5. Nizakat Khan
6. Manjinder Singh
7. Waqas Khan
8. Anas Khan
9. Sarfaraz Khan
10. Daljeet Singh
11. Karan Shah
12. Adil Mehmood

Hong Kong Invitational Squad (Sunday, 2nd June 0900 T20 match)

1. Waqas Barkat (Captain)
2. Hersch Khatri
3. Anas Khan
4. Skhawat Ali
5. Nizakat Khan
6. Niaz Ali
7. Nilantha Wijekoon
8. Babar Hayat (Vice Captain)
9. Furqan Tahir (WK)
10. Nadeem Ahmed
11. Daljeet Singh
12. Aditya Kanthan

Hong Kong Under-19s (Sunday, 2nd June 1300 T20 Match)

1. Ninad Shah
2. Karan Shah
3. Manjinder Singh
4. Muhammad Khan (WK)
5. Waqas Khan
6. Sarfaraz Khan
7. Simandeep Singh (Captain)
8. Daood Ashfaq
9. Harpreet Singh
10. Ghazanfar Mohammad
11. Suhaib Ahmed
12. Amandeep Singh