The Lotus Cup Women’s T20I Series 2026 ignites Bhutanese soil from January 20 to 29, promising explosive T20 action across the kingdom, and Match 3 on Thursday, January 22 at 10:00 AM IST from the picturesque Gelephu International Cricket Ground pits two triumphant sides against each other in a mouthwatering showdown: Hong Kong versus Bhutan.
Bhutan, under the steady hand of skipper Anju Gurung, stunned Malaysia, led by Winifred Duraisingam, in the series opener on January 20, clawing to a thrilling 3-wicket victory that showcased their never-say-die spirit. Hong Kong, marshalled by captain Natasha Miles, leading from the front, registering her maiden T20I century, followed suit in Game 2 with a dominant 51-run demolition of the same Malaysian outfit, signalling their batting firepower and bowling nous are firing on all cylinders.
Squads:
Bhutan Women’s Cricket Team
Anju Gurung (C), Sonam Choden (VC), Eva Somsel Yangzom, Sonam Sonam, Ritshi Choden, Tshering Zangmo, Chado Om, Riya Pradhan, Tshering Choki Choden, Sonam Pelden, Sherab Dema, Sangay Yangzom, Mamta Rai
Hong Kong Women’s Cricket Team
Natasha Tara Miles (C), Maryam Bibi (VC), Cheung Hiu Ying (WK), Chan Ka Ying, Chan Sau Ha, Iqra Sahar, Lai Wing Ki, Mahekdeep Kaur, Mariko Hill, Poon Hol Lam, Ruchitha Venkatesh, Siu Mei Wai, To Yee Shan, and Yasmin Daswani
Players to watch out:
Natasha Miles
Hong Kong skipper Natasha Miles, the veteran all-rounder with ice in her veins, etched her name in T20I folklore on January 21 against Malaysia, smashing a maiden unbeaten century, 100 off 70 balls, laced with 12 boundaries and 3 sixes, to power her side to a 51-run romp and clinch Player of the Match honours. Across 68 T20I matches and 67 innings, the experienced campaigner boasts 1,357 runs at a strike-rate-friendly average of 26.09, featuring three half-centuries and now this landmark ton.
Ruchitha Venkatesh
Hong Kong’s off-spinner Ruchitha Venkatesh turned the screws on Malaysia with a match-defining spell of 4-0-18-3, her miserly economy dismantling the opposition and sealing a commanding 51-run victory in the Lotus Cup. A T20I mainstay, Venkatesh has snared 33 wickets across 50 innings at an elite average of 21.72 and economy of 4.94, while chipping in 179 runs from 34 batting innings.
Anju Gurung
Bhutan’s seasoned skipper Anju Gurung orchestrated a Player of the Match masterclass against Malaysia, delivering 15 off 18 balls with the bat and a probing 4-1-10-2 spell to steer her side to a comfortable 3-wicket triumph in the opener. The left-arm pacer’s T20I ledger gleams with 36 wickets from 35 matches and innings at a blistering average of 13.25 and economy of 3.81, complemented by 75 runs in 22 innings.
Riya Pradhan
At just 16 and in only her second T20I, Bhutan’s off-spin sensation Riya Pradhan announced herself with a poised 3-0-16-2 spell against Malaysia, snaring the prized scalps of Nur Arianna Natsya and skipper Winifred Duraisingam to ignite Bhutan’s 3-wicket win. This young gun’s composure belies her tender years, injecting fresh fire into the Dragons’ attack. Watch out for her to trouble Hong Kong’s top order.
Pitch:
Gelephu International Cricket Ground lays out a balanced track, greeting batters with early pace and bounce that rewards fluent strokeplay and consistent carry, while evolving into a spinner-friendly deck as the game wears on. The fast outfield turns boundaries into currency, promising a high-octane T20I where Hong Kong’s power-hitters and Bhutan’s tweakers could both thrive, toss winners might eye bowling first.
Weather:
At Gelephu International Cricket Ground (Chhophel Lam NW, Gelephu), expect partly sunny skies, with a chilly 1°C°F, 80% humidity, negligible 0% precipitation risk, and light 3 km/h winds. These cool, still conditions favour swing early and spin grip later, setting up an unbroken day of T20I drama without weather disruptions.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Natasha Miles, Anju Gurung, Kary Chan, Yasmin Daswani, Ngawang Choden, Maryam Bibi, Ruchitha Venkatesh, Iqra Sahar, Riya Pradhan, Tshering Zangmo, Ritshi Choden
Match Details:
Date – January 22, 2026
Time – 10:00 AM IST
Venue – Gelephu International Cricket Ground.
Broadcast – Official team channels for streaming; ESPN Cricinfo for scorecard updates
Loves all things female cricket