'I wouldn't underestimate us, just yet' – Anshuman Rath

After a hard-fought Asia Cup Qualifier, Hong Kong won the ticket to the main tournament and they now have travelled miles to compete against the top dogs in the United Arab Emirates.

Now, they want to leave a mark, put on big performances, win the hearts of their fans and, more importantly, prove their ability.

"We're just going to go there and play our free cricket and enjoy every moment of it," Rath told the ICCahead of the tournament. "The pressure is not really on us in those games. We're going to just try to make our mark in the world, really.

“There are a lot of people going to be watching us, as we're holding the Associate flag in that tournament. I am sure that a lot of eyes are going to be on our players, on our key players to perform on that big stage to see if Associate cricketers can really perform against the big dogs.”

As the cliché goes, cricket is a game of 'glorious uncertainties', and Rath is relying on that same belief – "it's cricket and anything can happen".

In the past, Hong Kong have beaten teams like Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Those signify their ability and act as a confidence-booster going forward.

“You look at us, look at our performances against big teams. We beat Afghanistan in the ICC World T20 (Qualifier) 2015. In 2014, we've also beaten Bangladesh in Bangladesh," Rath said with a sense of pride. "So, we have played against big teams and we have done well against them.”

Hong Kong will do anything they can to prove themselves again. Tough as India and Pakistan are, Rath knows it's not impossible.

“Look, again, anything can happen on anyone's day," Rath admitted. "I think it is possible for an upset but obviously, we're going to go out there and enjoy every moment of it. But yes, I wouldn't underestimate us, just yet.”

Their major concern is their batting, which let them down at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier earlier this year in Zimbabwe.

"I think as Associate cricket goes, batting is the main concern amongst a lot of teams," Rath pointed out. "And it is just a case of backing ourselves and there is a possibility for us of getting skittled but it's about having confidence in all your players and just telling them to play the ball not the occasion.

“It's very easy for the teams in this situation to go into their shells and say just sort of play for the occasion. But our mentality over this tournament is just been back yourselves, play with freedom and that is something that we are going to look to try to do against India and Pakistan and hopefully it will pay off.”

However, one department that has shown improvement and has now become Hong Kong's big strength is their bowling. "Our seam attack has matured massively since the World Cup Qualifiers," said Rath.

"We have those wicket-taking bowlers in that middle period, who just come on and you know seem to do a job. They are improving day by day, they are gaining more and more experience.

“We still have a young bowling attack but they are learning their craft and it is something that it is looking up and up in the future and out in with two experienced spinners and we do have a very dangerous bowling attack that could hurt some teams.”