The clang of bat against ball echoed in a quiet Hong Kong park one early morning, the mist still rising off the artificial turf. Among a small group of teenagers, one boy stood out not because he hit the ball further, but because he simply refused to stop. When others tired, he bowled again; when his turn with the bat came, he stayed longer, taking guard with a seriousness beyond his years. That boy was Mohammad Waheed, and in those small, unheralded sessions lay the beginnings of a cricketer who would one day step out in Hong Kong colours, representing both his city and the persistence that defines Associate cricket.

Born in Hong Kong, Waheed is part of a generation raised in a place where cricket is not the number one sport, but it thrives in pockets of passionate communities. Growing up, he balanced studies with long hours of cricket on makeshift grounds and community club pitches. The game was not always about facilities or academies; often, it was about determination, discipline, and finding ways to learn from anyone who could share knowledge. That grounding instilled in Waheed a humility that continues to shape his approach to the sport.

By the time he broke into Hong Kong’s Under-19 setup, Waheed had already developed the traits that defined him: discipline with the ball, composure under pressure, and an eagerness to adapt. His medium-pace bowling was less about raw speed and more about accuracy and seam control. Batters found it difficult to hit him away because he rarely gave them width or length to free their arms. That economy and focus quickly pushed him toward senior cricket.

His first significant exposure came in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Asia qualifiers, where he bowled with quiet consistency. He may not have been the leading wicket-taker, but his ability to deliver tight overs in crunch situations earned him recognition. By the time the senior selectors looked to refresh the squad, Waheed was already in line.

In 2023, Waheed was handed his chance in T20 Internationals for Hong Kong. Just 20 at the time, he shouldered the responsibility of bowling in powerplays, the toughest overs in T20 cricket. Against established Associate rivals like Nepal and the UAE, he bowled with heart, finishing his early games with respectable economy figures. While wickets didn’t come in a flood at first, his ability to contain aggressive openers gave Hong Kong much-needed control.

His domestic and regional appearances have further cemented his value. In the Hong Kong Premier League T20, Waheed has been a go-to bowler for his franchise, frequently tasked with opening the bowling and containing in the death overs. While he is still developing the slower ball and yorker that define death specialists, his willingness to learn has impressed coaches. One of his mentors described him as “the kind of bowler who asks questions after every session, always looking for that one-percent improvement.”

Waheed’s journey has not been without challenges. Bowling in Associate cricket often means facing batters who go hard from the start, knowing they don’t face express pace or world-class swing. In such conditions, discipline becomes the only weapon. Waheed has learned that lesson quickly. Matches against teams like Nepal and UAE have tested him; he has gone for runs, but instead of folding, he has come back stronger in the next spell. That resilience is perhaps his most important trait.

Off the field, Waheed carries himself with quiet confidence. He isn’t brash, but those who know him describe him as fiercely competitive once he has the ball in hand. He has spoken about his dream of seeing Hong Kong return to global stages like the World T20, saying, “For us, it’s not just about playing matches. It’s about proving Hong Kong belongs with the top teams.” That sense of purpose underpins his career.

Looking forward, his challenge is twofold. First, to keep refining his bowling, adding variations, mastering the yorker, and improving his ability to strike at the death. Second, to strengthen his batting enough to become a genuine lower-order contributor. If he succeeds at both, Waheed could become a vital all-round option in a team that often craves balance.

(As of August 2025)