Hong Kong captain Kary Chan recorded the highest-ever individual score in the Asian Games as they thrashed Mongolia by 180 runs to seal their place in the quarter-finals. Hong Kong recorded a Games record best-ever score of 202 runs, which is also the team’s highest-ever score in T20 cricket.
Courtesy of their thumping win on Wednesday in the 19th Asian Games, Hong Kong set up a quarterfinal fixture against Bangladesh, managing to avoid medal favourites India and Pakistan in the draw.
The Quarterfinal 4 fixture between Hong Kong and Bangladesh will take place on Friday, September 22. Coached by Andy Cottam, the Hong Kong side marched into the last eight with a crucial win in their qualification match as they scored 202 runs and restricted Mongolia to a paltry 22 runs.
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Skipper Chan scored 70 runs recording the highest ever individual score by a batter in the history of the women’s tournament. The previous best was 63 runs set by Japan’s Ema Kuribayashi who had scored her total in 2010 against Nepal.
The inning propelled Hong Kong to their highest ever total of 202 runs which is also the highest score by a team in the Games.
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Speaking after the win, opener Natasha Miles said that she wouldn’t have worried had Hong Kong been drawn against the likes of India or Pakistan.
“I’d take any of them – India, Pakistan – we want to face the best, that’s why we are here. We want to put our skills to the test, face a challenge and show them what we’ve got,” said Miles.
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Earlier, Hong Kong lost to Malaysia who were paired up against India in the first quarterfinal which will be played on September 21, while Pakistan will meet Indonesia later in the day.
The top-ranked T20I sides, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were all seeded directly into the quarterfinal fixtures. Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team will be firm favourites against Malaysia and will be hoping for the gold medal in Hangzhou having won the silver last year in Commonwealth Games finishing second best to Australia.