Countries Hong Kong Format Twenty20 Next tournament 2017 | Administrator Cricket Hong Kong First tournament 2016 Tournament format Round-robin and finals | |
The Hong Kong T20 Blitz known as the DTC Hong Kong T20 Blitz for sponsorship reasons, is 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.
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Kowloon Cantons and Woodworm Island Warriors were joint winners of the inaugural DTC Hong Kong T20 Blitz after rain washed out finals day.
History
The Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) 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. Hong Kong Cricket Association announced that DTC Mobiles will sponsor the tournament.
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 Kai Tak.
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. Tanwir Afzal captain of Hong Kong national cricket team was selected as the first pick in the inaugural draft for tournament by Woodworm Island Warriors.
Format
The 2016 event took place on May 29 and 30. The four teams played each other once in a round robin format; this was followed by a finals day. All the matches were played at Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok
The 2017 will take place from 8th March to 12th March the five teams will play each other once in a round robin format; this will be followed by a finals day. All the matches we be 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.
Sponsorship
The HKCA announced a year title sponsorship agreement for the Hong Kong T20 Blitz League with DTC Mobiles in April 2016. As a result, the competition will be known as the DTC HK T20 Blitz. This agreement was renewed for 2017.