Willis’ side have blown hot and cold over the past 12 months. Attempts to address the inconsistency included the establishment of a new player performance programme, and a relaxation of selection criteria; both moves designed to increase the city’s player pool.
Issues remained in a tri-series competition last month, when Hong Kong twice beat Malaysia, but lost all three games against Kuwait. Willis said his team “let themselves down from a tactical and execution point of view” in two of those defeats.
“Under pressure, we bowled the wrong bowlers … and our fielding did not support the key moments,” Willis said.
Hong Kong began their T20 qualifying campaign with a nine-wicket win over Myanmar on Friday. The following day, they rolled over Mongolia for 17, and lost only one wicket for a repeat margin of victory.
Willis said he recognised that failing to move a step closer to qualifying for the 2026 T20 World Cup would damage efforts to grow cricket in the region.
“It is not up for discussion, we have to qualify,” Willis said. “These ICC tournaments are the major ones, the more we can qualify and play against the big boys, the better for our ranking.”
Asked about the pressure on him to oversee a successful campaign in Malaysia, Willis said: “Any head coach is expected to win games of cricket. If you don’t, you will have questions asked of you.
“The big thing is to not panic. Things don’t always go the way you want, but as long as we have the right processes in place, the right people on board, and everybody trying 100 per cent to row the boat in the same direction, you have to keep going.
“Emotional reaction always happens in sport, but I hope perspective is always there, too. If it isn’t, the board members and hierarchy make their decisions accordingly.”
Hong Kong have a new-look opening combination in the form of Jamie Atkinson and Zeeshan Ali, after a tri-series where the first wicket pair mustered a highest stand of 17 in five matches.
The juggling of personnel was partly influenced by a hamstring injury for Anshuman Rath, who Willis “wants involved as soon as possible, because his left-arm spin will play a major part in the tournament”.
The changes were also driven by Hong Kong’s openers, including Martin Coetzee, who has moved down the order, being “too slow out of the blocks”.
“The guys at the top of the order were putting themselves under too much pressure to get a score, so not playing at their natural best,” Willis said. “Zeeshan is the man in form and very confident.
“We are likely to face spinners in the first power play, and Zeeshan has a range of shots against spin.”
The newly installed player performance programme will operate from mid-September to Christmas.
“We want to support those guys who have aspirations to play and are in our thinking,” Willis said. “They will have net-based coaching and fitness testing, so when they are selected they come in at a standard that gives them the best chance of performing.
“We can’t just rely on the club structure, because clubs have their own priorities and members to provide for … we are looking at players for the next 12 months to three years.
“If there is not that pressure [of competition for places] people can become complacent and comfortable. It is really important for us that we don’t reach that stage.”
