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.Hong Kong T20 Blitz teams revealed Franchises up for sale in new Hong Kong T20 Blitz LeagueHong Kong exit ICC World Twenty20 with future in mind[Clarke signs up for Hong Kong's domestic T20 league] Kowloon Cantons and Woodworm Island Warriors were joint winners of the inaugural DTC Hong Kong T20 Blitz after rain washed out finals day.Warriors, Cantons joint winners of inaugural Blitz after rain washes out finals day
In July 2019, the competition was cancelled, due to ongoing financial issues.
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.Two players will miss out on draft for Hong Kong’s first Twenty20 Blitz tournamentFinal call on Bids for Hong Kong T20 Blitz 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."
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.Three Hong Kong T20 Blitz franchises taken, one more still up for grabs Woodworm take over Island Warriors 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.Tanwir Afzal, Babar Hayat are first two picks for Hong Kong T20 Blitz – DTC named title sponsorHKCA to welcome Michael Clarke for DTC Hong Kong T20 BlitzTwo players will miss out on draft for Hong Kong’s first Twenty20 Blitz tournament Since 2017 a fifth team has been addedRaising the stakes: Hong Kong T20 Blitz adds fifth franchise & five Chinese players were taken up by the five franchises in their squad,Hong Kong T20 Blitz draft: five Chinese cricketers taken up by franchises although as of 2018HONG KONG TWENTY20 BLITZ 2018 Results they are yet to be given any significant role or opportunity in the playing XI.
Team City CaptainKowloon CantonsKowloonBabar HayatHung Hom JD JaguarsHung HomKinchit ShahGalaxy Gladiators LantauLantauKumar SangakkaraHK Island UnitedHong Kong IslandTanwir AfzalCity KaiTakKai TakRayad Emrit
Tournament results Season Final Final venue Number of teams Player of the series Winner Winning marginRunner-up2016HK Island Warriors and Kowloon Cantons declared co-champions after the final was abandonedMission Road Ground4–2017Kowloon CantonsWon by 25 runsCity KaiTakMission Road Ground5Chris Jordan 2018Hung Hom JD JaguarsWon by 6 runsGalaxy Gladiators LantauMission Road Ground5Kumar 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 Sports’ Katherine Loughnan were hosts and also part of the commentary team. TerritoryNetworkUnited KingdomBT SportAustraliaFox CricketArab worldOSN SportsAsian CountriesNeo SportsCaribbeanESPN CaribbeanAfrican countriesStarTimes
References
External links Cricinfo Home