SHARMA'S CUP TARGET AT CATHAY PACIFIC/STANDARD CHARTERED HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CRICKET SIXES

Rahul Sharma in action at the 2004 Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes © CCIL

Hong Kong, October 13: Hong Kong veteran Rahul Sharma has challenged his team-mates to make history by qualifying for the Cup competition at this month's Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes.

The 45-year-old Sharma, a former Ranji Trophy player and ex-Hong Kong Player of the Year, has been a stalwart of seven former Hong Kong teams in the world's premier Sixes event.

However, despite his frequent heroics with both bat and ball, Sharma is frustrated that the hosts have never managed to qualify for the knockout Cup competition.

Undaunted by the fact that Hong Kong are the only non-Test playing nation in the eight-strong line-up for the 11th edition of the Sixes at the Kowloon Cricket Club (KCC) on October 22-23, Sharma believes this could the year that the hoodoo is ended.

"Our goal this year is definitely to play in the Cup competition," said Sharma, known as 'The General' by his clubmates at the KCC and Hong Kong cricket's most prolific centurion.

To achieve that target, Hong Kong will have to finish in the top-two in Pool 1, a tall order given that they will be up against defending champions England, last year's losing Cup finalists Sri Lanka, and Australia.

Last year, Sharma was at the helm as Hong Kong scored an emphatic victory against Kenya in the Plate final last year.

This year's captain will be Afzaal Haideer, who will be the main spearhead of Hong Kong's bowling attack for the fourth successive time in the Sixes.

A first-class cricketer in his native Pakistan from 1991 to 1994, the 33-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best fast bowlers Hong Kong has seen during the past decade and he will relish the challenge of locking horns with some of the world's leading players.

Also retaining his places in the Hong Kong team is batsman Tabarak Dar, while Munir Dar, Adam Gunthorpe, Irfan Ahmed and former England Test star Phil DeFreitas, recently arrived in Hong Kong, complete the line-up. Manoj Cheruperambil and Amjad Mahmood have been named as reserves.

Clive Howard, Chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA), said: "Hong Kong have won the Plate competition twice in the last three years, but it would be a major breakthrough if the team can qualify for the Cup competition this year.

"For the Hong Kong players to have the opportunity to perform in such exalted company in the Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes is one of the highlights of their careers. They work hard all year for this chance and want to make the most of it."

While Hong Kong will be battling for glory in Pool 1, four-time Cup champions Pakistan face strong opposition in the form of India, South Africa and West Indies in Pool 2.

Games are played in five-over innings, with each team member, other than the wicketkeeper, bowling one over. The eight competing teams are split into two groups of four and will play each other on a round-robin basis on day one.

The top two teams in each pool will progress to the Cup competition knockout stages, while the bottom two teams in each of the pools will compete for the Plate.

The all-action short form version of the game has been thrilling the SAR crowds since its inception in 1992 and HKCA officials are confident that this year will be the best yet.

Two-day tickets for the 2005 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes are currently on sale at HK$300 for adults and HK$150 for children aged 15 and under.

HONG KONG SQUAD: Irfan Ahmed, Munir Dar, Tabarak Dar, Phil DeFreitas, Adam Gunthorpe, Afzaal Haider (captain), Rahul Sharma. Reserves: Amjad Mahmood, Manoj Cheruparambil.

The 2005 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes will take place at Kowloon Cricket Club, 10 Cox's Road, Kowloon on October 22-23. Two-day passes cost HK$300 for adults and HK$150 for children aged 15 and under, and are on sale through Cityline at (www.cityline.com) as well as at the following outlets: Hong Kong Cricket Club (137 Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, Happy Valley, 2574 6266); Kowloon Cricket Club (10 Cox's Road, Jordan, 2367 4141); Dot Cod Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar (Prince's Building, Central 2810 6988).

Provided by the Hong Kong Cricket Association. For further information, please contact Dave Poon or Danny Lai at (852) 2504-8101.