Hong Kong T20 Blitz

Last updated

Hong Kong T20 Blitz
香港快閃板球賽 (Chinese)
Hong Kong T20 Blitz logo.png
Hong Kong T20 Blitz Logo
Countries Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong
Administrator Cricket Hong Kong
Format Twenty20
First edition 2016
Latest edition 2018
Tournament format Round-robin and finals
Number of teams5
Current champion Hung Hom JD Jaguars (1st title)
Most successful Kowloon Cantons (2 titles)
Most runs WestIndiesCricketFlagPre1999.svg Dwayne Smith (259) [1]
Most wickets Flag of Pakistan.svg Saeed Ajmal (11) [2]
TV List of broadcasters
Website Hong Kong T20 Blitz

The Hong Kong T20 Blitz was a cricket competition in Hong Kong that was first played in 2016. The inaugural event consisted of four franchised teams playing in a Twenty20 format only. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] Kowloon Cantons and Woodworm Island Warriors were joint winners of the inaugural DTC Hong Kong T20 Blitz after rain washed out finals day. [8]

Contents

In July 2019, the competition was cancelled, due to ongoing financial issues. [9]

History

The Cricket Hong Kong (CHK) announced their plans for the event in April 2016, stating they would invest in a Twenty20 cricket league for the development cricket in Hong Kong as well as in nearby countries. The competition would launch with four teams playing in a Twenty20 format. Cricket Hong Kong announced that DTC Mobiles will sponsor the tournament. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] The Agence France-Presse said, "A burgeoning Twenty20 tournament and growing interest from abroad is turning Hong Kong into one of Asia's fastest-rising cricketing destinations – and could help the sport make inroads into mainland China." [16]

Before the second season, Leonine Sports Group acquired the Woodworm Island Warriors, changing the name to Hong Kong Island (HKI) United. A new fifth franchise was also added and named City KaiTak.

Teams

Cricket Hong Kong announced the four hosts for the Hong Kong T20 Blitz League in April 2016, with hosting rights awarded for the first years of the competition. Team names, along with the fixtures and venues for the 2016 season, were announced in April 2016. The allocation of domestic players was decided by a draft held on April 28, 2016. All four franchises also subsequently signed a number of international players. [17] [18] [19] Tanwir Afzal, captain of the Hong Kong national cricket team, was selected as the first pick in the inaugural draft for tournament by Woodworm Island Warriors. [20] [21] [22] [23] Since 2017 a fifth team has been added [24] & five Chinese players were taken up by the five franchises in their squad, [25] although as of 2018 [26] they are yet to be given any significant role or opportunity in the playing XI.

TeamCityHome groundCaptain
Kowloon Cantons Kowloon Mission Road Ground Flag of Hong Kong.svg Babar Hayat
Hung Hom JD Jaguars Hung Hom Mission Road Ground Flag of Hong Kong.svg Kinchit Shah
Galaxy Gladiators Lantau Lantau Mission Road Ground Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Kumar Sangakkara
HK Island United Hong Kong Island Mission Road Ground Flag of Hong Kong.svg Tanwir Afzal
City KaiTak Kai Tak Mission Road Ground Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg Rayad Emrit

Tournament results

Hong Kong T20 Blitz season results
SeasonFinalFinal venueNumber of teamsPlayer of the series
WinnerWinning marginRunner-up
2016
Details
Hong Kong Island Warriors
and
Kowloon Cantons
declared
co-champions
Match abandonedNone/Joint Winners Mission Road Ground 4Not awarded
2017
Details
Kowloon Cantons Won by 25 runs City KaiTak Mission Road Ground 5 Flag of England.svg Chris Jordan
2018
Details
Hung Hom JD Jaguars Won by 6 runs Galaxy Gladiators Lantau Mission Road Ground 5 Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Kumar Sangakkara

Format

The 2016 event took place on 29 and 30 May. The four teams played each other once in a round-robin format, followed by a finals day. All the matches were played at Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok.

The 2017 event took place from 8 to 12 March. The five teams played each other once in a round-robin format, followed by a finals day. All the matches were played at the Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok.

Media coverage

Coverage of Hong Kong T20 Blitz 2016 was broadcast live on Hong Kong Cricket Association’s YouTube channel. Dean Jones, Jack Richards and Fox SportsKatherine Loughnan were hosts and also part of the commentary team. [27]

International broadcasters

TerritoryNetwork
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom BT Sport
[28]
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Fox Cricket
[29]
Flag of the Arab League.svg Arab world OSN Sports
[30]
Asian Countries
Neo Sports
[31]
WestIndiesCricketFlagPre1999.svg West Indies ESPN Caribbean
[32]
African Countries StarTimes
[33]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hong Kong national cricket team</span> National cricket team in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong men's national cricket team is the team that represents Hong Kong in international competitions. It played its first match in 1866 and has been an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robin Singh (cricketer)</span> Indian cricketer

Rabindra Ramnarine "Robin" Singh is an Indian former cricketer and cricket coach. He represented India in one Test and 136 ODIs between 1989 and 2001 as an all-rounder. He has coached the Indian Premier League's Mumbai Indians since 2010 and the Caribbean Premier League's Barbados Tridents since 2013. He has also coached the Deccan Chargers in the IPL's inaugural year. As a player, he was known for his calmness and ability to perform under pressure. He brought to Indian cricket world class fielding.

Greg James Thompson is an Irish cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a leg-break bowler. He has played for Ireland since 2004, playing for the full squad before reverting to play for the Under-17, Under-19 and Under-23 teams respectively from 2005 onwards. He is at Royal School Armagh. He played for Lancashire during 2005, having played for Hampshire's Second XI in 2004. He represented Lancashire in the Second XI trophy during 2006.

Colin Alexander Ingram is a South African cricketer who currently plays for Glamorgan. He represented South Africa in One Day (ODI) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20I) between 2010 and 2013, scoring a century on his ODI debut against Zimbabwe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sohail Tanvir</span> Pakistani cricketer

Sohail Tanvir is a Pakistani former cricketer, who has gained considerable international repute for his unorthodox left arm bowling action and particularly for the success it has gained him in the Twenty20 format of the game. He was a member of the Pakistan team that won the 2009 ICC World Twenty20. Tanvir was the first 'purple cap' winner in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League and his best figures were 6 for 14 playing for the Rajasthan Royals. This bowling record lasted for over a decade in the IPL. His figures in the Caribbean Premier League for the Guyana Amazon Warriors against Barbados are some of the most impressive of all time Other notable mentions in the Caribbean Premier League include an 18 ball 50 playing for the St Lucia Zouks at the Daren Sammy Stadium including smashing three consecutive sixes against Kieron Pollard. Tanvir continues to play in franchise leagues across the globe as one of the most prolific bowling all-rounders in world cricket with economical bowling figures and an impressive strike rate. Sohail Tanvir will be representing the Multan Sultans when the PSL resumes for the finals of the series in November 2020 after the team ended the league stage on top of the table. He is currently enrolled in the USA Open draft for the upcoming edition of the tournament running from 16 to 20 December 2020. In a 2020 interview, Tanvir described his 2007 Test debut wicket of Rahul Dravid in Delhi as the 'ball of his life' when the ball pitched outside leg stump and shattered 'the wall's off-stump in an unplayable manner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cricket Hong Kong, China</span>

Cricket Hong Kong, China, previously known as the Hong Kong Cricket Association and Cricket Hong Kong, is the official governing body of the sport of cricket in Hong Kong. Its current headquarters is in So Kon Po, Causeway Bay. Established as the Hong Kong Cricket Association in 1968, CHK is Hong Kong's representative at the International Cricket Council and is an associate member having been admitted as a member of that body since 1969. It is also a member of the Asian Cricket Council.

Skhawat Ali is a cricketer who has played One Day Internationals for Hong Kong. He participated in 17th Incheon Asian Games 2014. He also participated in the May 2015 Intercontinental Cricket Cup in Namibia, representing Hong Kong National Cricket Team. He made his first class debut in Pakistan vs Hong Kong at Karachi - June 24, 2008. He also played for JD Jaguars in the Hong Kong DTC T20 Blitz (2017) alongside Darren Sammy of West Indies. He is also a full-time Physical Education teacher in Hong Kong. He is a certified cricket coach for ACC level 2. He is also certified sports coach in Rugby, Badminton, Lacrosse and Pickleball.

Jonathan Alexander Foo is a Guyanese cricketer. An all-rounder, Foo is a leg spin bowler and lower order batsman for Guyana who made his national debut in the 2010 Caribbean Twenty20. He played a leading role in the final of that tournament, scoring 42 runs from 17 balls to help Guyana to victory over Barbados.

Aizaz Mohammad Khan is a Hong Kong international cricketer. He debuted for the Hong Kong national side in 2009, and has since played regularly for the team. He is a graduate of Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College.

Nizakat Khan is a Pakistani-born Hong Kong cricketer. An all-rounder, Khan is a right-handed batsman who bowls leg break. In August 2021, he was named the captain of the Hong Kong cricket team.

Babar Hayat is a Pakistani-born Hong Kong cricketer, who plays for the Hong Kong cricket team. He is a right-handed batsman and a former captain of the national team.

Ehsan Nawaz (Urdu: احسن نواز; is a Hong Kong cricketer. He played for Hong Kong in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 tournament. He made his One Day International debut against Afghanistan in the 2014 ACC Premier League on 1 May 2014.

Tanwir Afzal is a Hong Kong cricketer. He played for Hong Kong in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 tournament. He made his One Day International debut against Afghanistan in the 2014 ACC Premier League on 1 May 2014.

Paul Adriaan van Meekeren is a Dutch cricketer who most recently played for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club. He has played domestically for Somerset and Durham in English county cricket, and for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in T20 franchise cricket. He is a right-handed batsman and right-arm fast-medium bowler. Gloucestershire announced at the end of the 2023 season that his contract would not be renewed.

Anshuman Rath is a Hong Kong cricketer who previously captained the Hong Kong national cricket team. In September 2019, he retired from Hong Kong national team to pursue a career in India. In August 2021, he became eligible to play as a local player in India as an Indian passport holder, and had represented Odisha since the 2021–22 Indian domestic cricket season.

Sikander Zulfiqar is a Dutch cricketer. He made his Twenty20 International debut against the United Arab Emirates on 3 February 2016. He made his first-class debut for the Netherlands against Hong Kong in the 2015–17 ICC Intercontinental Cup tournament on 10 February 2017. He made his List A debut against Zimbabwe on 20 June 2017.

Tanveer Ahmed is a Hong Kong cricketer. He made his Twenty20 International debut against Afghanistan in the 2016 Asia Cup Qualifier on 22 February 2016. Before making his international debut, he was named in Hong Kong's squad for the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 tournament. He made his first-class cricket debut against Ireland in the 2015–17 ICC Intercontinental Cup on 30 August 2016. He made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Scotland on 8 September 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandeep Lamichhane</span> Former Nepalese cricketer

Sandeep Lamichhane is a former Nepalese cricketer and former captain of the Nepal national cricket team. and a Convicted rapist.

Doraiswamy Subramanian is an Indian cricketer who plays for Mumbai cricket team. He is a right-handed batsman. He was named in Hung Hom JD Jaguars to play in Hong Kong T20 Blitz a domestic Twenty20 tournament in Hong Kong

References

  1. ESPNcricinfo http://stats.espncricinfo.com/hong-kong-t20-blitz/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=687;type=trophy.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ESPNcricinfo http://stats.espncricinfo.com/hong-kong-t20-blitz/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=687;type=trophy.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. Hong Kong T20 Blitz teams revealed
  4. Franchises up for sale in new Hong Kong T20 Blitz League
  5. Tim Cutler reveals impact of WT20
  6. Hong Kong exit ICC World Twenty20 with future in mind
  7. [Clarke signs up for Hong Kong's domestic T20 league]
  8. Results 1st Match Feb 06, 2018 City Kaitak vs Hung Hom Jaguars City Kaitak 132/6 (20 overs) Aizaz Khan 52(37) Waqas Barkat 30(22)* Ben Laughlin 2/19(4) Hung Hom Jaguars 138/4 (17.4 overs) Nizakat Khan 48 (38) Kinchit Shah 22 (26) Aizaz Khan 1/16 (1) Hung Hom Jaguars won by 6 wickets (14 balls remaining) Man of the Match: Ben Laughlin Warriors, Cantons joint winners of inaugural Blitz after rain washes out finals day
  9. "BREAKING: Hong Kong T20 Blitz to be axed, Sixes also under threat". Emerging Cricket. 22 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  10. DTC Mobile sign as title sponsors for Hong Kong T20 Blitz
  11. "Hong Kong T20 Blitz expected to attract overseas cricket talent". South China Morning Post . 14 April 2016. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022.
  12. Two players will miss out on draft for Hong Kong’s first Twenty20 Blitz tournament
  13. Final call on Bids for Hong Kong T20 Blitz
  14. Hong Kong Men's team receive major funding boost from HKSI after World T20 campaign
  15. Hong Kong T20 Blitz franchise bidding opens!
  16. "Hong Kong T20 Blitz's growing popularity an indication of cricket making inroads in East Asia". Firstpost. Agence France-Presse. 13 February 2017. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  17. Three Hong Kong T20 Blitz franchises taken, one more still up for grabs
  18. Woodworm take over Island Warriors
  19. "Kowloon Cantons women hope to spark Hong Kong cricket revolution at T20 Blitz". South China Morning Post . 10 May 2016. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022.
  20. Tanwir Afzal, Babar Hayat are first two picks for Hong Kong T20 Blitz – DTC named title sponsor
  21. "Hong Kong T20 Blitz to feature top talent from Australia and India as teams release provisional squads". South China Morning Post . 13 May 2016. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023.
  22. HKCA to welcome Michael Clarke for DTC Hong Kong T20 Blitz
  23. Two players will miss out on draft for Hong Kong’s first Twenty20 Blitz tournament
  24. Raising the stakes: Hong Kong T20 Blitz adds fifth franchise
  25. Hong Kong T20 Blitz draft: five Chinese cricketers taken up by franchises
  26. HONG KONG TWENTY20 BLITZ 2018 Results
  27. Dean Jones to headline coverage of DTC Hong Kong T20 Blitz
  28. TV Broadcasters Confirmed for Hong Kong T20 Blitz
  29. TV Broadcasters Confirmed for Hong Kong T20 Blitz
  30. TV Broadcasters Confirmed for Hong Kong T20 Blitz
  31. TV Broadcasters Confirmed for Hong Kong T20 Blitz
  32. TV Broadcasters Confirmed for Hong Kong T20 Blitz
  33. TV Broadcasters Confirmed for Hong Kong T20 Blitz