Smriti scores ton as India register second consecutive victory in Women’s Asia Cup

Smriti Mandhana struck a rapid century as India overwhelmed Hong Kong by 137 runs in their Women’s Asia Cup match, giving India a second consecutive victory.

India posted 193 for five before dismissing Hong Kong for 56. Hong Kong lost its first wicket with only two runs on the board and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Deepti Sharma took three wickets, while the final five Hong Kong batters fell for four runs.

India began cautiously, with Mandhana and Shafali Verma gradually increasing the scoring rate. Mandhana then attacked Maryam Bibi, taking 12 runs from the fifth over, while Shafali added boundaries and a six as India reached 60 without loss after six overs. Shafali was eventually caught at long off for India’s first wicket at 74.

Mandhana reached her 36th fifty from 40 deliveries and accelerated after reaching the milestone. Hong Kong briefly restricted the scoring after Shafali’s dismissal, but India’s total remained beyond their opponents’ reach. Hong Kong’s chase never developed, with Nandini Sharma bowling Mariko Hill for a duck before India’s attack completed a comprehensive win.