Hong Kong delivered an all-round performance to defeat Malaysia Women by 88 runs in the fifth match of the Hong Kong Women’s T20I Tri-Series on May 10. Powered by an unbeaten half-century from Yasmin Daswani and a five-wicket haul from Kary Chan, Hong Kong successfully defended 134/2 by bowling Malaysia out for just 46 in 17 overs.
After Malaysia won the toss and elected to field, Hong Kong made a steady start but lost Mariko Hill early for 11 off 17 deliveries. Hill struck two boundaries before being caught by Nur Aliya off Aisya Eleesa in the fifth over, leaving Hong Kong at 15/1.
Captain Natasha Miles then rebuilt the innings alongside Yasmin Daswani in a crucial 110-run partnership for the second wicket. Miles anchored the innings with 44 from 51 balls, hitting one boundary at a strike rate of 86.27, while Daswani gradually accelerated through the middle overs.
Daswani played the defining knock of the innings, finishing unbeaten on 62 from 50 deliveries with eight boundaries at a strike rate of 124.00. She controlled the tempo of the innings during the latter stages and ensured Hong Kong posted a competitive total after a relatively cautious start. The hosts scored 119 runs in the final 15 overs after managing only 15 in the first five.
Kary Chan then added late momentum with an unbeaten nine off just three balls, including a six, helping Hong Kong finish on 134/2 from their 20 overs at a run rate of 6.70.
Malaysia’s bowlers produced disciplined spells in patches. Aisya Eleesa returned figures of 1/24 from four overs, while Mahirah Izzati Ismail impressed with an economical 4-0-17-0. Nur Dania Syuhada also kept things tight, conceding only 21 runs in her four overs. However, Malaysia struggled to break the Miles-Daswani stand quickly enough to restrict Hong Kong below par.
In response, Malaysia suffered a disastrous start when Dhanusri Muhunan was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Iqra Sahar. The collapse continued as Nur Qaireen managed just one run from eight balls before Alison Siu struck twice in the powerplay to remove both Qaireen and captain Winifred Duraisingam, who scored only two from 19 deliveries.
At 5/3 after 5.2 overs, Malaysia never recovered. Mas Elysa scored six from 12 balls before becoming the first of Kary Chan’s five victims, while Mahirah Izzati Ismail made four from 10 deliveries before also falling to Chan. Kary Chan then ran through the middle and lower order with a superb spell of 5/15 in four overs. Her wickets included Mas Elysa, Mahirah Izzati Ismail, Nur Aliya, Nurin Imanina and Aisya Eleesa as Malaysia’s batting lineup folded under scoreboard pressure.
Malaysia were reduced to 23/6 inside 10 overs and later slipped to 37/8 in the 15th over. Nur Dania Syuhada top-scored with an unbeaten 11 from 23 deliveries, while Nur Qalysha contributed five runs and Nurin Imanina added five. No Malaysian batter crossed 12, and only three batters managed scores above five.
The visitors were eventually bowled out for 46 in 17 overs at a run rate of just 2.70. Hong Kong’s bowling attack shared the wickets effectively, with Alison Siu returning excellent figures of 2/4 from three overs, including two maidens, while Iqra Sahar claimed 1/6 in four overs. Storm Parker also chipped in with 1/6 from two overs.
Daswani was named Player of the Match for her unbeaten 62 and two catches, though Chan’s destructive five-wicket haul proved equally crucial in securing Hong Kong’s emphatic victory. The win further strengthened Hong Kong’s position in the tri-series, while Malaysia were left searching for answers after one of their lowest T20I totals.
Loves all things female cricket