Hong Kong qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2012 by virtue of finishing in the top four of the regional Twenty20 qualifier for in Asia which was held in Nepal at the end of last year.

21-year-old Atkinson will lead the team this month in the event that runs across five venues in the United Arab Emirates from 13 to 24 March and Atkinson's side has a youthful feel to it: "We are currently a very young squad which brings with it plenty of enthusiasm and energy.

"Although it is a young squad, all players have been on Hong Kong tours before so there is plenty of experience. We have been blessed with plenty of talent in the squad with plenty of match winners.

"Munir Dar is a key member of the squad who had a fantastic Asian Cricket Council T20 winning the player of the tournament award, Irfan Ahmed also offers a lot to the side as a hard hitting opening batsman and a key bowler. He won the player of the tournament award at the 2010 Hong Kong Sixes tournament," said Atkinson.

Hong Kong, coached by Charlie Burke, has been training regularly since qualification according to Atkinson. "Once we qualified in December in Nepal our work began, the squad trains three times a week with matches on the weekends. We have been lucky enough to be offered to use the new excellent facilities at the Hong Kong Cricket Club.

"While a number of the specialist batsmen in the side travelled to the National Cricket Academy in Pakistan at the end of January who, with the help of Lou Vincent had an excellent week of training and matches, commented Atkinson.

Hong Kong feature in Group A alongside one of the tournament favourites, Afghanistan, along with Netherlands, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Bermuda, Denmark and Nepal.

"We go in to the tournament confident of our chances against all the teams in our group. In the past year the only teams we haven't played against are the Netherlands and Canada so we have an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the other teams in our group.

"As the Netherlands and Canada have played in televised matches in recent times it allows us to view their strengths and weaknesses as well," commented the wicketkeeper.

Hong Kong as a cricketing nation has never reached a senior ICC global event (the U19 side played in the ICC U19 CWC 2010 in New Zealand) and to do so would be a major feat for the island says Atkinson: "Obviously it would be a great achievement for Hong Kong to reach the ICC World Twenty20 2012.

"No Hong Kong national side has ever reached a senior World Cup in any sport so for cricket to do this would be a great honour for all involved. All cricketers dream of playing in a World Cup and there is no doubt we will be doing everything possible to grasp this fantastic opportunity."