For the curtain raiser of the 2023 Hong Kong Women’s Twenty20 (T20) Quadrangular series, visitors Nepal and Tanzania are scheduled to contest at Hong Kong Cricket Club, Wong Nai Chung Gap, on the 15th of November, 2023, at 7:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Nepal – Indu Barma (C), Bindu Rawal (VC), Rubina Chhetry, Sita Rana Magar, Ashmina Karmacharya, Kajol Shrestha, Kanchan Shrestha, Somu Bist, Puja Mahato, Roma Thapa, Sangita Rai, Khushi Dangol, Samjhana Khadka, Sony Pakhrin
Tanzania – Hudaa Omary, Monica Iddi, Saum Mtae, Aisha Mohamed, Saum Borakambi, Neema Pius, Fatuma Kibasu (C), Mwanamvua Ushanga, Sheila Kizito, Shufaa Mohamed, Mwajabu Salumu, Saumu Hussen, Sophia Frank, Perice Kamunya
Players to watch out:
Indu Barma
The 26-year-old all-rounder in T20Is, in 37 innings, has accumulated 493 runs and picked up 23 wickets from as many bowling outings. Indu’s form with the bat has been a concern for a while now; however, she’s been bowling very well, and only recently, during the ICC Asia Regional Qualifier against Bahrain, she produced her career-best of 3/5, while her best with the bat is an unbeaten 55.
Sita Rana Magar
The 31-year-old all-rounder has amassed 691 runs and scalped 42 wickets from 44 appearances, including respective bests of 82* and 5/16. Sita has been in excellent form both with the bat and ball, and in the lead-up to the series, featuring in the All-Stars series, she notched up scores of 40, 24, and 12, while with the ball has produced figures of 0/12, 1/20, and 2/12.
Fatuma Kibasu
The 34-year-old all-rounder has piled on 1160 runs, including the highest of 127*, at a strike rate of 113.39, and bagged 16 wickets from 21 bowling innings. Fatuma has been in scintillating form over the past year, and in the recently concluded inaugural Tanzania Women’s Premier League (TWPL), in 11 outings, added 235 runs to the tally and struck 9 wickets, with the best being 2/8.
Neema Pius
The 21-year-old all-rounder, in 18 T20I outings, has posted 255 runs, including the highest of 65, and also has a wicket to her name. Neema didn’t have a good international series last time around; however, her recent form has been nothing short of brilliant. In the TWPL, in 10 outings, Neema racked up 317 runs, including the highest of 73, and also bagged 15 wickets, with the best being 3/12.
Pitch:
The wicket at Hong Kong Cricket Club, Wong Nai Chung Gap, heavily favors the bowlers, particularly the spinners, who receive ample support from the 22-yard strip. Batters have found it challenging to score freely on this wicket resulting in an average score of 77 at this venue.
Weather:
With moderate winds, humidity at 68%, and the temperature forecasted to hover around 23°C, the conditions are pleasant for a complete game of cricket. The overhead is expected to be clear and the chances of rain are minimal.
Fantasy playing XI:
Kajol Shrestha, Saum Mtae, Monica Iddi, Hudaa Omary, Fatuma Kibasu, Sita Rana Magar, Rubina Chhetry, Perice Kamunya, Neema Pius, Sophia Frank, Mwanamvua Ushanga
Match details:
Date – November 15, 2023
Time – 7:00 AM IST
Venue – Hong Kong Cricket Club, Wong Nai Chung Gap
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on FanCode and Cricket Hong Kong’s Facebook page.