The Hong Kong Cricket community is saddened to learn of Bharat Gohel's recent passing, aged 60.

Hong Kong born and bred, he represented the territory in numerous ICC events, once taking the remarkable figures of six for 11 with his left arm orthodox spin against Fiji in the 1986 ICC Trophy held in England.

Seven years later, the South China Morning Post’s Jeremy Walker wrote that “on his day, Gohel could literally turn any match in his side's favour” after a match-winning performance against Hong Kong Cricket Club, with “man-of-the-match bowling figures of five for 58 off 15 overs on a flat batting track to help dismiss HKCC for 140 in reply to KCC's 276 for seven in 50 overs.”

Bharat played his first league match in 1967 and went on to become Captain of Cricket at Kowloon Cricket Club. He was also heavily involved in local cricket development, forming the 'Dragons' HK Chinese development team.

HKCA Chairman Mike Walsh, who played with and against Bharat over many years, added “I really enjoyed our battles in the Hong Kong leagues and the annual HKCC/KCC shield matches, but the best memories are when we were teammates playing for Hong Kong.

“He was always a great ‘team man’, whether that was for Hong Kong or his club side and this was evident in the work he put back into cricket after he finished playing.

“He will be truly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have got to know him over the years and my thoughts go to his wife Daphne and his family. Another is unfortunately taken from us way too soon.”

The HKCA will share details on the arrangements for Bharat’s service when known.