July 28, Colombo (LNW): Former Sri Lankan Test cricketer Kaushal Silva has been appointed as the new head coach of Hong Kong’s national cricket team, according to an announcement from the territory’s cricketing authority. The 39-year-old, who represented Sri Lanka in 39 Test matches between 2011 and 2018, is set to assume his new role once the necessary visa formalities are completed in the coming weeks.
Silva, a gritty wicketkeeper-batsman known for his technical resilience, brings with him both international playing pedigree and coaching experience gained across multiple countries. Following a brief coaching spell in England, he has spent the past several years working in Australia, most recently at the Superkings Cricket Academy, honing young talent and gaining recognition for his strategic approach to player development.
This appointment marks Silva’s first foray into coaching at the associate international level. He succeeds Simon Willis and will take charge of a team in urgent need of reinvigoration following a string of underwhelming performances.
Hong Kong recently endured a disappointing campaign at the Asia Pacific Cricket Champions Trophy in Singapore, culminating in a heavy defeat to Malaysia in a five-over final where their opponents chased down the target in just 14 deliveries.
Silva’s immediate focus will be preparing the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, a high-profile T20 tournament scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates from 9 to 28 September. Hong Kong has been placed in a challenging group alongside Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Silva’s native Sri Lanka.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the opportunity, Silva noted his eagerness to instil a disciplined and competitive ethos within the team.
“There is tremendous potential in this squad,” he said. “I’m committed to creating a culture of professionalism, resilience, and ambition—both on and off the pitch. We’ll also be looking closely at emerging players and building a pipeline for the future.”
Chairman of Cricket Hong Kong, China, Burji Shroff, welcomed Silva’s appointment, highlighting the depth of his playing and coaching experience. “Kaushal brings a wealth of cricketing insight and a strong understanding of the modern game,” Shroff remarked.
“We believe his leadership will be key in revitalising the team’s performance and promoting greater engagement with cricket across our communities.”
