The ICC has confirmed that the Event Technical Committee of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 (WT20Q) has approved a replacement player in the Hong Kong squad.

Hong Kong’s Ali Shkawat is not available due to illness, and will be replaced by Ankur Sharma, a 30-year-old right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler.

The confirmation was conveyed to the Hong Kong squad on behalf of the committee.

Any request for a replacement requires a written submission to the Event Technical Committee. Once replaced, a player may not return to the squad save as an approved subsequent replacement for another injured or ill player.

As with all players in the tournament, the eligibility of a replacement player is subject to approval by the ICC before that player can be officially added to the squad.

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 comprises Geoff Allardice (Chair – ICC General Manager – Cricket), Chris Tetley (IDI Representative), Mudassar Nazar (independent nomination), David East (Emirates Cricket Board Representative), Mazhar Khan (Emirates Cricket Board Representative) and Osman Samiuddin (independent nomination).