Asian Games: Hong Kong make 7 changes to women’s squad for cricket competition
- Eligibility rules for multi-sport event mean likes of Mariko Hill, Yasmin Daswani and Shanzeen Shahzad cannot be selected
- Hong Kong play Malaysia in first game, with winners going straight into quarter-finals of nine-team competition
Hong Kong have been forced to make several changes to their women’s team for the Asian Games, with the likes of top-run scorer Mariko Hill, wicketkeeper Yasmin Daswani and allrounder Shanzeen Shahzad all missing.
As with the Olympics, all competitors are required to hold a Hong Kong passport, so a significant number of the squad that played at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier in Malaysia this month are ineligible.
In total, there are six changes, with Akasha Yousaf, Charlotte Chan Sau-ha, Amanda Cheung Kwai-hin, Cindy Ho Sin-yee, Emma Lai Wing-ki, Heiley Lui Hei-in and Bella Poon Bo-yee all coming into the squad.
Several of the number are no strangers to international cricket, having played in the Women’s East Asia Cup in May, when Hong Kong beat China in the final in Hangzhou.
“This tournament provides us with an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of Hong Kong’s women’s cricket within Asia and especially in the greater China region” Andy Cottam, the women’s head coach, said.
“This will be the first opportunity for several of our girls to play in front of such a large global audience, and against some of the best players in the region. We are looking forward to the experience and are aiming to continue our strong performances from the World Cup qualifiers.”
Cricket will be played at the Asian Games for the first time since 2014, although the hosts have opted not to enter, leaving nine teams in the women’s tournament.
Hong Kong begin their competition against Malaysia, against whom they are playing three practice matches this week, with the winners moving straight on to the quarter-finals.
The losers will get a second change to reach the last eight in a game against the loser from the other match between Indonesia and Mongolia. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Thailand all start their tournaments in the quarter-finals.
“Our team is very excited to be playing in the Asian Games, and to represent Hong Kong in such a large global tournament,” Kary Chan, the Hong Kong captain, said. “We hope to receive a lot of support from fans in the stadium, and are confident we can compete with all the teams taking part.”
Hong Kong squad: Kary Chan Ka-ying (capt), Natasha Miles (vice-capt), Akasha Yousaf, Betty Chan Ka-man (Betty), Charlotte Chan Sau-ha, Dorothea Chan Shing-yan, Lemon Cheung Kwai-hin, Amanda Cheung Kwai-hin, Cindy Ho Sin-yee, Emma Lai Wing-ki, Heiley Lui Hei-in, Maryam Bibi, Bella Poon Bo-yee, Alison Siu Mei-wai, Pull To Yee-shan.
