ACC Under-15 Elite Cup Tournament 2007

Hong Kong team for the ACC Under-15 Elite Cup © HKCA

The following players left Hong Kong for Nepal today (Monday 19 November 2007) to represent Hong Kong China in the ACC U-15 Elite Cup tournament to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal, between 24 November and 4 December 2007.

Coach: Sher Lama

The team will undertake 4 days of pre-tournament training and 2 practice matches in Nepal before the tournament commences. The 50 over format will be employed at the tournament, white balls used and coloured clothing and kit worn. Selected matches are expected to be televised in Nepal.

The cricket tournament in which 10 countries are participating is probably the largest Under 15 tournament held anywhere in the world. The countries in the Elite Division are drawn from the whole of Asia ranging from the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait in the Middle East down t o Singapore and Malaysia in South East Asia. Only the four recognised test playing nations from Asia, namely India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, do not participate in this tournament. The bottom two teams at the conclusion of the tournament are expected to be relegated to the ACC Under-15 Challenge Cup Division which now includes China.

The HK China team is captained by diminutive left-hander MArk Chapman who, together with Vice captain Miten Khatri, has represented Hong Kong at international age group level annually since 2003. The bowling attack will be lead by Niaz Ali and Aizaz Khan and the batting by Nizakat Khan and Sagar Chandra.

The selection process for this team began with trial sessions in July and August and in September a provisional squad was selected. When the squad of 14 players was announced in October the Chairman of the HKCA Junior Selection Panel, Steve Atkinson commented that "there had been real competition for places in the this U-15 team and particularly amongst the pace bowlers. The team selected appears a balanced and hard working side for what is a very competitive and challenging tournament."

The 10 countries participating are:

Hong Kong's Group A matches will be played as follows:

Sunday, 25 November 2007 - Hong Kong v. Oman at Engineering Ground
Monday, 26 November 2007 - Hong Kong v. Malaysia at Laboratory School
Thursday, 29 November 2007 - Hong Kong v. Thailand at Tribhuvan Ground
Friday, 30 November 2007 - Hong Kong v. Nepal at Army School

Hong Kong faces challenging pool matches against perennial Under-15 tournament favourites Malaysia and host country Nepal as well as against the strong Oman team. Pool matches will be followed by matches to determine final placings in the tournament.

Live coverage of selected matches at this tournament can be heard over the internet on https://www.hearcricket.com.

For more information on the ACC U-15 Elite Cup please visit ACC's website at https://www.asiancricket.org.

Charles Lau
General Manager
Hong Kong Cricket Association