Hong Kong Cricket Association today proudly announce that Babar Hayat has been appointed captain ahead of the upcoming tour of United Kingdom and Ireland.

Selectors have appointed the 24-year-old after Tanwir Afzal elected to stand down from the post to focus on his own performances.

Babar will lead a 14-man squad on a testing tour that includes Hong Kong’s Intercontinental Cup clash against Ireland and two One Day Internationals against Scotland.

“I am honoured and extremely proud to be named captain of Hong Kong,” Babar said.

“It is a privilege to even play for Hong Kong so to be given this opportunity is very humbling and a challenge I’m looking forward to.”

“I must thank Tanwir for his efforts – the team has come a long way since he took over the captaincy and I’m sure I’ll be using his experience on the field.”

“We have some exciting new faces for the upcoming tour, which will be a test in Ireland and Scotland’s home conditions. I’m really excited to lead this young team.”

Babar has played 43 Twenty20 matches for Hong Kong since debuting in 2012. He famously hit 15 off the last over against Afghanistan to qualify Hong Kong for the 2016 ICC World Twenty20. But it’s been his progress in recent months that has impressed.

“Babar thoroughly deserves this opportunity from the summer he has had,” Director of Cricket and selector Charlie Burke said.

“His fitness and his determination to take this team and Hong Kong cricket forward really excites me. He has led from the front in training and shown he is ready for a leadership role.”

“I have no doubt that Babar will continue his impressive performances and led the squad from the front.”

Aizaz Khan has also been given his first leadership role in the team and has been appointed vice-captain in the absence of Mark Chapman. Aizaz, 23, has played 39 Twenty20 matches for Hong Kong after making his debut in 2011.

Hong Kong’s squad includes two new faces with Ehsan Khan and Shahid Wasif selected for their first national team tours.

2016 Hong Kong squad for the tour of United Kingdom and Ireland

*First Hong Kong tour

香港板球總會隆重宣布，巴巴凱逸（Babar Hayat）被任命為香港男子板球隊隊長，將於今個月底帶領港隊出戰英國及愛爾蘭。

港隊遴選委員會提名巴巴凱逸為新任隊長，以接替現任隊長艾夫扎（Tanwir Afzal）。艾夫扎希望可以專注於自己的表現上，因而卸任。

巴巴凱逸將會帶領14人陣容出外面對挑戰，當中包括於「洲際盃」面對愛爾蘭，以及兩場國際一日賽面對蘇格蘭。

巴巴凱逸表示：「能夠成為香港隊隊長，我感到非常光榮及自豪。」

「能夠代表香港已經是一個榮譽。這個機會令我感到謙卑，我非常期待這個挑戰。」

「我必須感謝艾夫扎的努力。港隊自他開始帶領後大有進步，我一定會好好運用他豐富的經驗。」

「港隊稍後的英國及愛爾蘭之旅名單中不乏新面孔，將會在作客環境下面對挑戰。能夠帶領這支年輕隊伍，我感到非常興奮。」

24歲的巴巴凱逸於2012年首次代表香港，出戰過43場20回合制賽事。2016年「20回合制板球世界賽外圍賽」面對阿富汗，他於最後一個回合擊出15分，成功令港隊晉身決賽周。不過巴巴凱逸被選為隊長的主要因素，是他最近幾個月付出的努力。」

板總總監兼遴選委員貝卓禮（Charlie Burke）指：「巴巴凱逸在夏季的操練非常勤奮，絕對值得成為隊長。」

「他的體能及意志令我印象深刻。他在操練中成為球隊的榜樣，充分表現出領導能力。」

「毫無疑問，巴巴凱逸將會持續交出好表現，繼續擔當領袖角色。」

艾扎茲（Aizaz Khan）亦首次擔起隊中的領袖角色，接替身處海外的查普曼（Mark Chapman）成為副隊長。23歲的艾扎茲2011年首次代表香港，至今出戰過39場20回合制賽事。

香港隊陣容中，Ehsan Khan及Shahid Wasif是首次代表香港作賽。

2016香港男子板球隊 作客英國及愛爾蘭陣容

* 首次代表香港