Pakistan sojourn prepares HK for biggest test yet

It's hard to get your head around the finer points of batting when you are only a few hundred metres from the site where the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by terrorists three years ago. But five young Hong Kong cricketers took it all in their stride last month as they readied themselves for the biggest test in their careers in the United Arab Emirates this week.

Nizakat Khan, Irfan Ahmed, Babar Hayat, Aizaz Khan and Waqas Barkat visited Pakistan's National Cricket Academy in Lahore, adjacent to the Gaddafi Stadium where six policemen and a bus driver were killed, players were shot and injured, and authorities were forced to blacklist Pakistan.

The Hong Kong quintet and batting coach Lou Vincent were the first group of cricketers to visit the country since that attack.

"As we know terrorism can happen anywhere in the world to anyone today," former New Zealand test batsman Vincent said.

"Pakistan has got an unfair label at the moment. What happened to the Sri Lankan team was as devastating as what happened during my tour in 2002 when a bomb went off and I saw 12 people die in front of my eyes. But life has to go on.

"Yes, I was worried a little bit about security but in the end you can't let fear stop you."

Hong Kong vice-captain Nizakat Khan said: "It was quite an experience for all of us. The National Cricket Academy has superb facilities and we were training three hours in the morning and three hours in the evening, using the gym and nets. We were up against some very good net bowlers and that visit has helped raise our game."

Hong Kong fans will hope so, and pray the Jamie Atkinson-led 14-strong squad will be at their fiery best when they take part in the 16-team, ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers starting on Tuesday. At stake are two berths in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in September.

"The aim is to score 140 consistently and there is no question this side cannot do it," Vincent said. "The skill level of these guys is right up there. In the four months I have been with them, I have seen the progression and everything is going to plan with scoring runs becoming a lot easier. But the real test will be in Dubai. We have prepared as much as we can and now we have to put all that we have learned into the final exam."

Already there has been significant improvement in Hong Kong's batting as shown in the regional qualifiers for this tournament, the ACC Twenty20 in Nepal in December. After beginning on a low note losing to the hosts, Hong Kong gathered momentum and defeated the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in their pool to storm into the semi-finals, where they defeated Oman by three wickets chasing a target of 143.

But the pressures of playing in the final got to them and, despite dismissing Afghanistan for 125, they fell short in the run chase by eight runs. No wonder the Hong Kong think tank feels if skipper Atkinson calls it right and wins the toss, they would prefer to bat first.

"There is more pressure chasing in Twenty20 cricket as we found out against Afghanistan," Vincent said. "It was a wake-up call for us as amateurs. You can have the game won, but then you can pretty quickly lose a handful of wickets and suddenly you're losing the game. But you learn from it. If you understand yourself better, you have a foundation and if things get tough you can fall back on it."

This has been the mantra the 33-year-old Vincent, a pugnacious batsman who played 23 tests and 102 one-day internationals, has been trying to instil in the past few months.

"My role has to been to make sure these guys know what they are doing out in the middle. I have been a player and a batsman and you go through phases trying new things and you forget your strengths and go off your game plan. It is all about trying to understand your game and becoming more consistent. Once you get that into place, then the next step is what's the plan for the team? We have got a plan in place for Dubai - score 140 and it will be competitive," Vincent said.

To Vincent, taking a group of the best batsmen to Lahore made sense. All five are of Pakistani background and getting visas was not an issue. The facilities at the Lahore NCA are world-class and Vincent made sure they faced thousands of balls during their six-day stay.

"Getting away from Hong Kong and living and breathing cricket 24 hours a day was the main thing," Vincent said.

In his first tenure as a coach and working with a group of weekend cricketers, he has enjoyed the challenge immensely.

"It's been extremely challenging being an amateur sport here. I have worked with professionals as a player but this is different. The guys have got to work and support their families, but whenever I had training or one-on-one sessions with them it's been amazing as they are so keen to learn and it has made by job easier. I have passed on what I think is right and watching the guys improving has been such a heart-warming experience," Vincent said.

So what will be the key to toppling a few of the bigger ICC associate-member nations this month? "Listening to me," laughs Vincent.

He quickly adds: "They have to trust in themselves. There is no need to be overawed by the big boys. They should be the ones who should be scared of us."

SCHEDULE

Group A: Afghanistan, Netherlands, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Denmark, Nepal.

Group B: Ireland, Kenya, Scotland, Namibia, Uganda, Oman, Italy, USA.

Hong Kong schedule

March 13: v Nepal
March 14: v Bermuda
March 15: v Canada
March 16: v Papua New Guinea
March 18: v Denmark
March 19: v Afghanistan
March 20: v Netherlands
March 22: Play-offs
March 23: Play-offs & semi-finals
March 24: Final & 3/4 play-off

HONG KONG SQUAD

James Atkinson (captain)
Age: 21
Right-hand batsman (RHB) and wicketkeeper
The youngest captain in the ICC WT20 qualifiers. Is a hard-hitting top-order batsman and confident gloveman.
Nepal report (ACC Twenty20 qualifiers last December): 106 runs (Average: 21.20; Strike Rate: 83.46)

Nizakat Khan (vice-captain)
Age: 19
RHB and right-arm leg spinner
Nizakat has been the most consistent player for Hong Kong over the past 12 months with both bat and ball, his hard hitting and attacking style of spin will be a huge asset for the team. Under-performed by his own high standards in Nepal and will look to bounce back. He recently hit a century off 41 balls against a KCC XI.
Nepal report: 50 runs (Av: 8.33; SR: 106.38), three wickets (economy rate: 7.77).

Li Ming-kai
Age: 20
RHB, leg spinner
A promising young leg spinner who is the brother of Godiva Li Kai-ling, who plays for the Hong Kong women's team. Ming-kai comes into the side to replace Nadeem Ahmed.
Did not play in Nepal.

Courtney Kruger
Age: 23
RHB
Former vice-captain has been a regular player at senior level and showed some promising signs in the middle order during Nepal.
Nepal report: 78 runs (Av: 15.60; SR: 78.78)

Roy Lamsam
Age: 31
RHB and Right-arm medium pace
One of the few senior players left in the squad, Roy is an attacking middle-order batsman and a handy swing bowler. Broke his finger in the semi-final in Nepal and was a huge loss in the final against Afghanistan.
Nepal report: Two runs (SR: 66.66) one wicket (Econ: 7.80)

Asif Khan
Age: 21
Right-arm medium pace
Replaced Mark Chapman but is well known in the squad with plenty of experience with Hong Kong. He is a skiddy medium-pace bowler who can keep it tight and will be useful on the slower wickets expected in Dubai.
Nepal report: Four runs (SR: 133.33)

Waqas Barkat
Age: 20
WK and RHB
The first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman in the squad although spent all the games in the field in Nepal as Mark Ferguson took the stumps. A very useful top-order batsman and a possible opener for the ICC WT20 qualifiers.
Nepal report: 54 runs (Av: 10.80; SR: 120)

Irfan Ahmed
Age: 22
Right-arm medium fast and RHB
Will open the batting for Hong Kong in Dubai and is one of the team's most promising players with his quick bowling and big hitting.
Nepal report: 135 runs (Av: 22.50; SR: 166.66) 12 wickets (Econ: 6.08)

Babar Hayat
Age: 18
RHB and right-arm medium
One of the most exciting cricketers who only recently qualified to represent Hong Kong, this hard-hitting young batsman will be a name for the future and could well be a big name after this tournament.
Nepal report: 68 runs (Av: 11.33; SR: 89.47)

Aizaz Khan
Age: 18
RHB and right-arm medium
The promising all-rounder will again take the new ball in the T20s and leads a very young pace attack.
Nepal report: 30 runs (Av: 10; SR: 103.44)

Daljeet Singh
Age: 16
Right-arm medium
Could possibly take the new ball and is one of the form bowlers going into the tournament. Has a consistent action and bowls great line and length with variation.
Did not play in Nepal.

Munir Dar
Age: 37
RHB and left-arm off-spinner
The oldest in the group and a match-winner at his best. His clever spin bowling with plenty of variation and his hard hitting in the middle order will be much needed if Hong Kong are to succeed.
Nepal report: 202 runs (Av: 67.33; SR: 141.25) 11 wickets (Econ: 4.97)

Kinchit Shah
Age: 16
LHB and right-arm off-spin
One of two 16-year-olds travelling with the squad, Shah will get his opportunity to bat in the middle order with his clever stroke play and willingness to take on the bowlers with his strong drives. He made his debut in the final against Afghanistan and made a second-ball duck.
Nepal report: 0 runs

Max Tucker
Age: 19
Right-arm fast medium
One of seven teenagers in the squad and will go on his second senior tour after touring Dubai last time in the ICC WCL Division Two. Tucker is currently playing in Australia for Melbourne Cricket Club and will be fighting for a spot with Daljeet Singh as one of the seam bowlers.
Did not go to Nepal.