Cricinfo - Aftab Habib appointed Hong Kong National Cricket Coach

About Cricket in
Hong Kong

International Cricket

Aftab Habib appointed Hong Kong National Cricket Coach

Hong Kong Cricket Association

October 20, 2007

The Hong Kong Cricket Association is pleased to announce the appointment of former England test player Aftab Habib to the position of National Cricket Coach. The 35 year-old Habib was selected from a field of 25 candidates that had applied for the job.

Born in England, Habib rose through the ranks of the English County Cricket scene, playing for both Leicestershire and Essex, to represent England in two test matches against New Zealand in 1999. He also enjoyed success with England A. A prolific top order batsman, Habib scored 8,873 runs in 159 first class matches at an average of 41.85 runs per innings.

On Habib's appointment, HKCA Chairman Clive Howard said "We did a very extensive search and narrowed it down to a shortlist of four. Aftab was our final choice." Howard added "We have offered him a three-year contract. One of the main conditions for the job was that the new coach be based in Hong Kong."

Habib's first assignment as National Coach will be to take the Hong Kong team to Kuwait to contest the inaugural ACC Twenty20 Cup from 27 October to 2 November 2007.