![Hong Kong Women celebrating Smriti Mandhana's wicket [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1788157352626_HongKongWomen.jpg?type=hq)
Hong Kong Women celebrating Smriti Mandhana's wicket [Source: X]
The Women's T20 Asia Cup is underway in Dubai, and tournament debutants Hong Kong were seen having the time of their lives, enjoying India's struggle against Thailand on Sunday night.
India faced their Group A opponents in their tournament opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, and were momentarily in a spot of bother during the first innings. Opener and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana was dismissed while Hong Kong players watched the game ahead of their face-off against the giants.
Watch- Hong Kong celebrate Smriti Mandhana's wicket
The incident happened at the final ball of the third over, where Shafali Verma worked a Phannita Maya delivery towards the long-on region. Shafali and Smriti ran the first run comfortably, but as the senior batter came back for the second run, she was visibly casual, which cost her big time.
Aphisara Suwanchonrathi's direct hit from the deep ended Smriti Mandhana's promising knock, while she was 19(10).
Interestingly, another Group A team, Hong Kong, were closely watching the match from their hotel. They were also preparing notes for dos and don'ts against the Women In Blue.
Following India's 94-run triumph over Thailand, a video went viral, wherein the Hong Kong contingent was sitting together and celebrating the dismissal. One of the players also shared her insight to avoid Shafali Verma's onslaught, telling, "don't bowl full to Shafali."
Also Read: Who Is Suleeporn Laomi? Thailand Star Who Triggered India's Collapse In Women's Asia Cup
Watch the video below:
Hong Kong will face India for the first time
The ongoing edition of the Women's T20 Asia Cup marks the competition debut for Hong Kong. They have been drawn in the same group as India, Pakistan and Thailand.
Hong Kong faced Thailand in the opening match of the competition and lost by a close margin of 6 runs, while chasing 121 runs in 20 overs. Now, they will face India in their next fixture at DICS on September 3 in a do-or-die match.
This will be the first time in Hong Kong Women's history that they will face India across formats.
Following the match against India, they will end the Group stage, facing Pakistan on September 7 at the same venue.
India crush Thailand despite collapse
India's first match of the tournament did not go exactly as per the plans. Batting first on the night, they started well with 91/2 after 9 overs. Smriti Mandhana got 19(10), alongside Pratika Rawal's 22(18), while Shafali Verma was India's best batter with 64(36) to her name.
But what followed was nearly an embarrassing collapse of the middle-order. Suleeporn Laoni's 3/26 led Hong Kong back in the match, as they reduced India to 137/9 in 17.2 overs. Courtesy of Kranti Gaud's late cameo, India reached a respectable total of 159/9.
Later in the second innings, things went pretty smoothly for the favourites, as Deepti Sharma's 3/1 and Nandani Sharma's 3/18 wrapped up the proceedings and bowled Thailand out for 65 runs. If they win their next match against Hong Kong, they will have one foot in the second round of the tournament.
Also Read: Krunal Pandya Set For India Return After 5 Years; Massive Blow For RCB Before IPL 2027
