In the 4th Quater-Final of the ongoing 19th Asian Games women’s cricket event, Bangladesh and Hong Kong are slated to lock horns at the ZJUT Cricket Field, Hangzhou, on the 22nd of September, 2023, at 11:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
While Bangladesh advanced directly to the Quarter-Final, Hong Kong, who had lost their league game to Malaysia, then won against Mongolia and advanced to the Quarter-Final. They’ve got some cricket in their legs, but Bangladesh, with a morale-boosting series win against India, will be a dominant force to reckon with.
Squads:
Bangladesh – Niger Sultana Joty (C), Nahida Akter (VC), Shathi Rani, Farjana Hoque Pinky, Shamima Sultan, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Lata Mondol, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Marufa Akter, Disha Biswas
Hong Kong – Chan Ka Ying (C), Natasha Miles, Akasha Yousaf, Chan Ka Man, Chan Sau Ha, Chan Shing Yan, Cheung Hiu Ying, Cheung Kwai Hin, Ho Sin Yee, Lai Wing Ki, Lui Hei In, Maryam Bibi, Poon Bo Yee, Siu Mei Wai, To Yee Shan
Players to watch out:
Niger Sultana Joty
The 26-year-old keeper-batter, in 75 Twenty20 International (T20I) appearances, has racked up 1515 runs, including the highest score of 113*, at an average of 25.67. Runs from Niger’s blade will be crucial for the side, and her recent form has been promising. She recently registered her best score of 38 in a testing series against India and notched a scintillating 75* against Sri Lanka earlier this year.
Marufa Akter
The 18-year-old pacer, in 9 T20Is, has scalped as many wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 6.64, and registered the best figures of 3/23. Marufa has quietly come through the ranks and earned recognition during Bangladesh’s home series against India, producing bowling figures of 1/18 (3), 1/28 (4), and 0/15 (3). In the following 3-match One-Day Internationals, she bagged 7 wickets, including a 4-fer.
Maryam Bibi
The 20-year-old all-rounder in T20Is, in 25 innings, has accumulated 165 runs, including the highest score of 34, and in 37 bowling outings, has picked up 42 wickets. While Maryam has continued her form with the ball, producing figures of 1/7 (3) in the opener, a good sign for Hong Kong is the scores of 34, 15, and 30* that Maryam has recorded in her previous 3 innings.
Siu Mei Wai
The 25-year-old pacer in T20Is, in 13 outings, has chipped in scoring 45 runs and struck 21 wickets in 30 bowling innings. Siu has recorded the best figures of 5/8 with the ball and continues to impress, producing another fine spell in the side’s previous outing, finishing with figures of 2/5 (3.3).
Pitch:
The 22 yards at the ZJUT Cricket Field, Hangzhou, favor the batters, offering them a friendly surface to bat on. However, the track also benefits the bowlers, particularly the pacers, with ample assistance to exploit, as evidenced by the average score in the 130s.
Weather:
The temperature is forecasted to be around 23°C, with humidity levels at 89% and light winds. There is also a high chance of rain expected during match hours, which could result in delayed starts and regular interruptions if the skies don’t clear.
Fantasy playing XI:
Niger Sultana Joty, Natasha Miles, Farjana Hoque Pinky, Chan Ka Ying, Maryam Bibi, Rabeya, Marufa Akter, Shanjida Akther, Nahida Akter, Chan Ka Man, Siu Mei Wai
Match details:
Date – September 22, 2023
Time – 11:30 AM IST
Venue – ZJUT Cricket Field, Hangzhou
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on Sony Liv and televised on the Sony Sports Network.