Hong Kong and Tanzania will face off in match no. 6 of the ongoing 2023 Hong Kong Women’s Twenty20 (T20) Quadrangular series. The game is scheduled to be played on the 18th of November, 2023, at 11:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST), at Hong Kong Cricket Club, Wong Nai Chung Gap.
Squads:
Hong Kong – Kary Chan (C), Natasha Miles (VC), Alison Siu, Betty Chan, Dorothea Chan, Emma Lai, Elysa Hubbard, Iqra Sahar, Lemon Cheung, Mariko Hill, Maryam Bibi, Mya Gardner, Ruchitha Venkatesh, Shanzeen Shadzad
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:
Natasha Miles
The 35-year-old batter, in 33 T20I outings, has amassed 683 runs, averaging 28.45, and has registered the best of an unbeaten 86. Natasha has been in brilliant form of late, especially in providing the team with a good start. In both games this series, Natasha has finished the game for the side, remaining unbeaten on 21 and 30, respectively. With two massive games ahead, it’ll be expected of her to capitalize on this form.
Ruchitha Venkatesh
The 27-year-old all-rounder has picked up 21 wickets from 35 bowling innings, maintaining an economy rate of 5.27, and has chipped in with the bat, scoring 139 runs in 25 outings. Ruchitha has been brilliant with the ball again this series, recording bowling figures of 0/13 and 2/9. She’ll be relied upon to carry forward this momentum.
Saum Mtae
The 21-year-old batter has raced to 584 T20I runs from 32 outings, striking at 113.61, and with her off-spin, has picked up 6 wickets. Saum was sensational in the recently concluded inaugural edition of the Tanzania Women’s Premier League (TWPL), top-scoring with 463 runs from 11 games, while also claiming 7 wickets. Saum has been handy this series, registering batting scores of 16 and 36, while also registering figures of 1/5, and watch out as her best is yet to come.
Monica Iddi
The 36-year-old all-rounder, in T20Is, in 21 outings, has accumulated 412 runs, including the highest of 61*, and also bagged 4 wickets. Monica had a stellar TWPL season, contributing by scoring 251 runs and scalping 14 wickets from 11 games. Monica has had a quiet series thus far, departing for scores of 10 and 9, but will be backed to find her feet ahead of the final.
Pitch:
The Hong Kong Cricket Club is a low-scoring venue that typically favors bowlers, especially spinners. The pitch has a little neutral character and the average score at this venue is in the 80s, making it a challenging venue for batters.
Weather:
It’ll be a bright sunny day at the Hong Kong Cricket Club with the temperature expected to hover around 21°C, with light winds, and humidity of 38%. With a clear forecast, we are in for a complete game of cricket.
Fantasy playing XI:
Lemon Cheung, Saum Mtae, Natasha Miles, Monica Iddi, Mariko Hill, Kary Chan, Perice Kamunya, Neema Pius, Sophia Frank, Iqra Sahar, Ruchitha Venkatesh
Match details:
Date – November 18, 2023
Time – 11:30 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.