Hong Kong started their title defence with a resounding 44-run win against Japan in the first of the Women's T20 East Asia Cup 2024 at Yeonhui Cricket Ground in Incheon, South Korea on Tuesday (October 8, 2024). (Tournament Guide | More Cricket News)
Asked to set a target, Hong Kong women's rode Pakistan-born wicketkeeper-batter Shanzeen Shahzad's 39-ball knock which witnessed six fours and one six for 48 runs. The 30-year-old, who won the Player of the Match award, was involved in a crucial second-wicket stand with Mariko Hill (32 off 45) Hong Kong posted 119/4.
Japan women's chase unravelled as early as the second over with one of the openers, Haruna Iwasaki losing her wicket to Alison Siu, who finished with match figures of 2/16 in four overs. Hinase Goto, Iwasaki's opening partner, continued to wage a lone battle, but her 23 off 50 proved too little for a team that hit just three fours in the innings and the 51st-ranked Japan were eventually restricted to 75/5.
In the second match of the Women's T20 East Asia Cup 2024, China women (49th) were ready to take on Mongolia women (65th).
The sixth edition of the regional T20 International competition, a five-team affair, featuring 12 matches, are being played at Yeonhui Cricket Ground, Incheon from October 8 to 13.
Hong Kong (22nd), the highest-ranked side, are the most successful side in the competition's history. In fact, they have featured in the title clash in all the editions so far, losing to China in 2015 (inaugural edition) and 2019. They beat Japan twice, in 2017 and 2022 and China in the 2023 finals.
Hong Kong Women Vs Japan Women Squads For Women's East Asia Cup 2024
Hong Kong Women: Natasha Miles (c), Shanzeen Shahzad, Yasmin Daswani, Emma Lai, Fatima Amir, Kaur Mahekdeep, Mariko Hill, Maryam Bibi, Hiu Ying Cheung (wk), Joyleen Kaur (wk), Alison Siu, Betty Chan, Iqra Sahar, Ruchitha Venkatesh
Japan Women: Erika Oda, Haruna Iwasaki, Hinase Goto, Seika Sumi, Ahilya Chandel, Kiyo Fujikawa, Kurumi Ota, Mai Yanagida (c), Shimako Kato, Akari Nishimura (wk), Elena Kusuda, Erika Toguchi-Quinn, Nonoha Yasumoto, Rino Morita
Check tournament guide and telecast details HERE.
Matchday 2 (Wednesday) fixtures feature clashes between South Korea women vs Mongolia women (6:30am IST/10:00am local) and China women vs Hong Kong women (10:30am IST/2:00pm local).
