Hong Kong spinner Ehsan Khan encountered a defining moment in his career when he dismissed former India skipper MS Dhoni in an Asia Cup 2018 match in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Cheered on by the entire stadium, Dhoni edged one off Ehsan’s bowling and walked back to the dressing room without waiting for the umpire’s call. “That’s the kind of person he is. It was a dream-come-true moment for me,” Ehsan told News18.

Seven years later, the veteran spinner is a key figure in the Hong Kong setup, as they gear up for the latest edition of the continental championship. He is fuelled by Dhoni’s advice from that game. “Age is just a number,” the World Cup-winning captain had quipped to him. “That stayed with me,” Ehsan said. “If you are fit, you can perform at any age. Experience also makes the game easier; you learn how to handle situations better.”

Ehsan’s journey has not been straightforward. He was born in Rawalpindi and moved to Hong Kong in 2012 to develop a career in associate cricket. Across 15 ODIs and 94 T20Is, he has become a consistent figure in the national team setup. He is amongst the fastest to have taken 100 T20I wickets, a feat he shares with pacer Haris Rauf. He was the fourth-highest wicket-taker in T20Is in 2024, with 46 dismissals to his name.

But for Ehsan, the sport is more about contribution than records. “Personal milestones are special, but what matters is the team’s success,” he said. His admiration for Dhoni runs so deep that he is penning a book with an entire chapter dedicated to the Indian legend.
As Hong Kong heads into Group B alongside Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, Ehsan warned that Rashid Khan’s men will be the toughest challenge. Yet, inspired by Dhoni’s words, the spinner is ready to take his team one step ahead in their cricketing history.

 Yet, inspired by Dhoni’s words, the spinner is ready to take his team one step ahead in their cricketing history.