Hong Kong’s Babar Hayat to play for Kerala Kings in UAE T10 Cricket League
The batsman will play alongside the likes of England captain Morgan, Wahab Riaz, Kieron Pollard and Liam Plunkett, among others
Babar Hayat’s selection by the Kerala Kings for next month’s T10 Cricket League shows that Hong Kong players are starting to catch the eye of international teams, said coach Simon Cook.
Hayat will join England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan, Pakistan international Wahab Riaz, West Indian Kieron Pollard and England’s Liam Plunkett, among others, in the Kings side to contest six-team tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
The Hong Kong captain’s selection was aided by former India international Robin Singh, the coach of Hong Kong T20 Blitz side City Kaitak.
“It’s great to see Babar get picked up in this global event, which not only highlights that Hong Kong players are catching the eye of the world but that our own Blitz franchises are extending their reach to other tournaments globally,” said Cook.
“Robin Singh and the City Kaitak franchise will have seen Babar up close in last year’s T20 Blitz and credit to them for taking the punt on him in this tournament.
“It really shows the added value of the Blitz where a franchise or coach can look at taking a player that would normally not be in the frame.”
