Heading into match 5 of the Lotus Cup Women’s T20 Tri-Series, the points table clearly reflects the momentum of the tournament. Hong Kong sits comfortably at the top, remaining undefeated after two clinical performances. They kicked off their campaign with a massive 51-run win over Malaysia and followed it up by defeating Bhutan by 64 runs just a couple of days ago.
Bhutan, meanwhile, finds itself in a more turbulent position. While they started the series with a historic and emotional three-wicket victory over Malaysia, their heavy loss to Hong Kong in the reverse fixture has left them hungry for redemption. Currently, with two wins from two, Hong Kong is the team to beat, while Bhutan is fighting to prove that their opening-day heroics weren’t just a flash in the pan.
Squads:
Hong Kong, China Women’s Cricket Team
Shanzeen Shahzad, Natasha Miles, Mariko Hill, Kary Chan, Maryam Bibi, Joyleen Kaur, Vanessa So, Karen Poon, Alishba Kanwal, Fatima Amir, Storm Parker
Bhutan Women’s Cricket Team
Karma Dema, Sonam Pelden, Yeshey Choden, Ngawang Choden, Riya Pradhan, Sangay Yangzom, Tshering Choden, Tshering Zangmo, Dechen Wangmo, Sonam Choden, Anju Gurung, Eva Yangzom, Ritshi Choden, Sonam
Players to watch out:
Natasha Miles
The Hong Kong skipper has been the talk of the tournament after her historic performance at the Gelephu International Cricket Ground. She etched her name into the record books by smashing an unbeaten 100 off just 70 balls against Malaysia, a knock that included 12 boundaries and 3 sixes. As the first woman to score a T20I century in Bhutan, Natasha has led from the front, maintaining a blistering strike rate of 142.86 and proving why she is considered the heartbeat of the Hong Kong batting lineup. She has scored 106 runs in 2 games so far.
Sonam Choden
Serving as the vice-captain for Bhutan, Sonam has been a steadying force for the home side throughout the opening matches. She played a vital role in Bhutan’s historic first-ever T20I win over Malaysia, contributing a gritty 20 runs off 28 balls to anchor the chase, and followed it up as a top-scorer with 28 runs in the tough clash against Hong Kong. Choden has scored 48 runs in 2 games and her ability to handle pressure in the middle order and her occasional contributions with the ball make her an indispensable asset to the Bhutanese squad.
Kary Chan
Kary Chan reminded everyone of her elite all-round capabilities during the third match of the series, where she was rightfully named Player of the Match. She played a lightning-fast cameo of 40 runs from only 20 deliveries, providing the late-innings surge Hong Kong needed to reach a massive total. She was equally lethal with the ball, tearing through Bhutan’s lineup with sensational figures of 3 wickets for 13 runs in her four-over spell, effectively sealing a dominant win for her team and a total of 4 wickets in the tournament so far.
Anju Gurung
The Bhutanese captain has been the embodiment of resilience, leading her team to a monumental victory in the series opener. Anju was the star of the show against Malaysia, earning Player of the Match honors for her clinical bowling figures of 2 wickets for just 10 runs and a crucial contribution of 15 runs with the bat. She has picked up 3 wickets in the tournament, and her leadership has been instrumental in Bhutan’s growth on the international stage, consistently delivering tight spells and maintaining an economy rate of 2.50 to keep opposition batters in check.
Pitch:
The Gelephu International Cricket Ground features natural grass pitches that offer a balanced contest with early pace and bounce for batters. Curators note the surface is currently dry and stable due to a three-month dry spell, providing favorable conditions for both pace and spin as the game progresses.
Weather:
The conditions in Gelephu will be partly sunny with a high of 21°C and a low of 11°C. Winds will be light at 4 mph from the south, with only a 10% chance of rain during the day.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Natasha Miles, Mariko Hill, Kary Chan, Maryam Bibi, Storm Parker, Yeshey Choden, Tshering Choden, Tshering Zangmo, Dechen Wangmo, Sonam Choden, Anju Gurung
Match Details:
Date – January 25, 2026
Time – 10:00 AM IST
Venue – Gelephu International Cricket Ground
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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