Hong Kong will take on the United Arab Emirates in the 2nd Semi-Final of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026, which is being played in Malaysia from August 30 to September 12, 2026. The knockout clash takes place at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval in Bangi on September 10, 2026, with the match scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM local time (7:00 AM IST).
UAE finished top of Group B as the tournament’s only unbeaten side, while Hong Kong secured second place in Group A on the back of a last-gasp win over Nepal. The winner advances to the final and edges closer to a direct qualification route for the 2027 Asia Cup.
Hong Kong vs United Arab Emirates, 2nd Semi-Final – Match Details
The Hong Kong vs UAE contest is the second semi-final of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2026 and will be played at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval in Bangi.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Hong Kong vs United Arab Emirates, 2nd Semi-Final |
| Series | ACC Men’s Premier Cup, 2026 |
| Format | 50-over One-Day |
| Date | September 10, 2026 |
| Time | 9:30 AM Local / 7:00 AM IST |
| Venue | YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, Bangi |
Hong Kong vs United Arab Emirates Head-to-Head Record in ODIs
Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates have met four times in ODI cricket, with the honours shared evenly between the two sides so far.
The upcoming semi-final will settle that balance one way or the other, though it is worth noting that none of the previous four meetings have been played in the last decade.
| Parameter | Hong Kong | UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Overall ODI meetings | Level | Level |
| Total wins (4 matches) | 2 | 2 |
| Most recent meeting (2017) | Lost | Won |
| Recent tournament form | Strong | Unbeaten |
The head-to-head record offers little separation between the sides, which puts even greater weight on current tournament form heading into the semi-final.
Hong Kong vs United Arab Emirates 2nd Semi-Final Odds
UAE enter the match as favourites after finishing the group stage with a perfect record. They won all four of their completed matches, including a 92-run win over Qatar and a 66-run win over Kuwait via the DLS method, and head into the knockouts with a net run rate of +1.979.
Hong Kong, meanwhile, have been solid rather than dominant. They edged Malaysia in a Super Over, lost narrowly to Bahrain, and then defeated Nepal by 15 runs thanks to an unbeaten century from Babar Hayat.
| Outcome | Estimated Win Probability |
|---|---|
| UAE to win | 60% |
| Hong Kong to win | 40% |
Prediction: UAE to win
Hong Kong vs United Arab Emirates Match 2nd Semi-Final – Toss Prediction
The YSD-UKM Cricket Oval has shown a mild historical advantage for the side setting a target, and both teams have batting line-ups capable of pushing past 240 if they bat first.
UAE’s greater batting depth would suit setting a total and defending it with their varied bowling attack, while Hong Kong would prefer to know their target given Babar Hayat’s proven ability to anchor a chase.
Toss Prediction: United Arab Emirates to win the toss and bat first
Hong Kong vs United Arab Emirates Pitch Report, YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, Bangi
The YSD-UKM Cricket Oval has generally rewarded seam bowling with the new ball, with pace accounting for the majority of wickets taken at the venue over the past year.
The same ground hosted UAE’s win over Oman just two days earlier, where 192 proved a defendable total, though the venue has also produced totals well past 300 earlier in the tournament.
| Pitch Factor | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Batting Conditions | Fast and bouncy, tricky early |
| Pace Bowling | Prominent with the new ball |
| Spin Bowling | Useful for control in the middle overs |
| Bounce | Above average |
| Expected First-Innings Range | Around 220-250 |
Wickets in hand through the middle overs should matter more than an aggressive start on this surface.
Hong Kong vs United Arab Emirates Match 2nd Semi-Final – Weather Update
The semi-final is scheduled for a 9:30 AM local start at Bangi. Conditions are expected to be warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from around 24°C in the morning to as high as 34°C later in the day, along with some morning haze.
Passing showers cannot be ruled out around the match date, so the latest forecasts should be checked closer to the toss before making a final assessment.
Hong Kong Probable Playing XI
Hong Kong’s squad is led by all-rounder Yasim Murtaza, with Babar Hayat the standout run-scorer after his unbeaten 117 against Nepal in the final group game.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Zeeshan Ali (wk) | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Anshuman Rath | Batter |
| Babar Hayat | Batter |
| Kalhan Challu | Batter |
| Kinchit Shah | All-rounder |
| Yasim Murtaza (c) | All-rounder |
| Shahid Wasif | All-rounder |
| Aizaz Khan | Bowler |
| Ehsan Khan | Bowler |
| Ateeq Iqbal | Bowler |
| Nasrulla Rana | Bowler |
United Arab Emirates Probable Playing XI
UAE’s squad is captained by Harpreet Singh Bhatia, with Aayan Afzal Khan providing crucial all-round balance alongside a varied and in-form pace attack.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Tanish Suri | Batter |
| Adeeb Usmani (wk) | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Harpreet Singh Bhatia (c) | Batter |
| Akshdeep Nath | Batter |
| Aayan Afzal Khan | All-rounder |
| Rahul Chopra | All-rounder |
| Sohaib Khan | Batter |
| Haider Ali | Bowler |
| Ibrar Ahmad | Bowler |
| Khuzaima Bin Tanveer | Bowler |
| Muhammad Jawadullah | Bowler |
Key Battles to Watch for the 2nd Semi-Final
- Babar Hayat vs Khuzaima Bin Tanveer: Hong Kong’s principal run-scorer against UAE’s leading pace threat with the new ball.
- Yasim Murtaza vs Aayan Afzal Khan: A direct duel between the two all-rounders who could shape both innings.
- UAE top order vs Ehsan Khan and Aizaz Khan: Hong Kong need early wickets rather than containment to unsettle UAE’s settled batting depth.
- UAE’s bowling attack vs Hong Kong’s middle order: Whether Hong Kong can rotate strike freely once Babar Hayat is dismissed.
Player Spotlight: Hong Kong vs United Arab Emirates 2nd Semi-Final
- Babar Hayat (Hong Kong, Top-Order Batter): Hayat’s unbeaten 117 against Nepal, built from a shaky 133/7, was the standout individual performance of Hong Kong’s group campaign. His ability to bat through an innings makes him the batter UAE will most want to remove early.
- Aayan Afzal Khan (UAE, All-Rounder): Afzal Khan offers UAE control with the ball through his left-arm spin while also chipping in with useful runs, as shown by his 37 against Oman. His dual role gives UAE tactical flexibility that Hong Kong will need to plan around.
- Yasim Murtaza (Hong Kong, Captain & All-Rounder): Hong Kong’s captain leads from the front with both bat and ball, adding control in the middle overs and experience at the top of the order. His decision-making could prove decisive in a tightly poised contest.
- Khuzaima Bin Tanveer (UAE, Pace Bowler): As UAE’s leading pace option, Khuzaima’s ability to strike with the new ball on a surface known for early seam movement makes him a genuine threat to Hong Kong’s top order inside the first ten overs.
Hong Kong vs United Arab Emirates 2nd Semi-Final Prediction
UAE arrive at the semi-final unbeaten in the tournament, having won all four of their completed group matches with totals of 263, 286 and 282 underlining the depth of their batting order. Their bowling attack has also shown enough variety to defend a modest 192 against Oman just two days before this contest.
Hong Kong, in contrast, have needed a Super Over and a fighting century from Babar Hayat to reach the semi-final, though both results reflect a side capable of handling pressure moments when it matters most.
UAE’s unbeaten record, stronger recent scoring output and greater bowling depth make them the marginal favourites, but Hong Kong’s know-how at this venue and Babar Hayat’s current form keep a genuine route to the final open for them.
