Willis aiming to change ‘deep-rooted culture’ in Hong Kong cricket, eyeing ACC Premier Cup ahead of Oman semi-final
- Hong Kong on Friday face Oman, who won all four group games, for a place in Sunday’s final
- Nizakat Khan moves down order, with inspirational skipper averaging more than 60 and playing crucial role in decisive Malaysia victory
Hong Kong are tantalisingly close to a prized berth at next year’s Asia Cup, but head coach Simon Willis’s mission to change the team’s “deep-rooted culture” will take much longer.
Willis’s side face hosts Oman in an ACC Premier Cup semi-final on Friday, after Babar Hayat humbled Malaysia’s attack on Wednesday to spare his team the indignity of a group-stage exit.
The reward for beating Oman is a spot in Sunday’s final against Nepal or the United Arab Emirates. The winners of that match qualify for next year’s continental event.
Hong Kong began their Premier Cup campaign with victory over Qatar, but defeats by lowly Saudi Arabia and Nepal, the tournament favourites, left Willis’s side needing to beat Malaysia by a handsome margin – and rely on Nepal to beat the Saudis – to progress.
Babar struck nine sixes and two fours in a 35-ball 83, as Hong Kong reached their 141 target in 12.1 overs to leapfrog Qatar on net run rate, before the Nepalese did their bit.
“The 11 players on the field, and three off it, were fully focused,” Willis said. “In the past, we have not always had that self-motivation, focus and commitment, and we have been punished as a result. It shows what this team is capable of when it has its back to the wall.”
