The Uganda Cricket Association will host a much-anticipated T20I Quadrangular Series, the 2025 Women’s Day Cup, commencing on March 8, which augurs well with International Women’s Day – a fitting start for the tournament.
Four emerging teams—Uganda, Hong Kong, Namibia, and Nepal—will compete in a double round-robin league stage, with each team playing six matches. Succeeding the group stage, the top two-tier will play in the grand finale, while the third and fourth placed team will fight for the third spot.
Among the four teams, Hong Kong is one of the favourites to win the competition. Under the leadership of captain Natasha Miles, Hong Kong has a formidable team that has the potential to dominate the event.
Supported by a blend of experienced and young sensations, they will seek to make a strong statement at the outset and continue their momentum until the last game.
Hong Kong’s squad for the T20I Quadrangular Series throws up some new faces that will don the threads of national pride. Of the prominent ones included is 19-year-old Joyleen Kaur, who has grabbed the headlines, taking eight wickets in seven games at 12.75 and an economy of 5.32.
She is joined by Karen Poon, the mainstay of Jade Jets Women in the Hong Kong Women’s All Stars T20 Series. Right-arm medium pacer and all-rounder Mahekdeep Kaur, playing for United Services Recreation Club in the Hong Kong Premier League T20 competition, also gets her call-up for the T20i series. Another addition to the team is 16-year-old right-arm medium pacer Vanessa So, who brings with her fresh blood and potential to the crux of the team.
In their most recent campaign, the Women’s T20 Quadrangular Series played on the home soil of Hong Kong they beat China by 32 runs in the 3rd place clash. Although they missed out on an opportunity to make it to the final—where eventual winners Thailand beat Namibia by 30 runs — the team displayed brilliant performances throughout the play.
Mariko Hill was the top run-scorer of the series, with 110 runs from four innings, while Kary Chan was also impressive with the bat, ending as the third-highest run-getter of the tournament with 89 runs. Star with the ball was Kary Chan, who picked up eight wickets at a whopping average of 7.62, while Alison Siu contributed significantly, taking six wickets at an equally good average of 7.16.
Hong Kong squad for the 2025 Women’s Day Cup:
Natasha Miles (C), Alison Siu, Betty Chan, Emma Lai, Iqra Sahar, Joyleen Kaur, Karen Poon, Kary Chan, Mahekdeep Kaur, Mariko Hill, Maryam Bibi, Shanzeen Shahzad, Vanessa So, Yasmin Daswani
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