Allround Hong Kong beat hosts by 8 wickets in Singapore

With heavy rain overnight and more inclement weather looming, Hong Kong captain Keenu Gill elected to field after winning the toss in the opening match against the hosts at the Singapore International Women's Cricket T20 Challenge on what looked like a typically slow wicket at the India Association Ground.

Mariko Hill opened the bowling for Hong Kong and she bowled with pace to claim an early wicket that put Singapore on the back foot. Betty Chan claimed a couple more Singapore batters with her spinners and the hosts were in some trouble until a couple of useful partnership developed for the hosts. Singapore's captain Diviya top scored with 22 to push the hosts' total along although Hong Kong's bowlers continued to keep it tight.

Betty Chan claimed 2/7 from her 4 overs and got the ball to turn and bounce on the low surface, whilst Keenu Gill and Mariko Hill finished the innings in tremendous style by capturing 3 wickets for only 2 runs in the last two overs and that kept Singapore to a total of 74 from their 20 overs.

As the dark clouds started to roll in, Hong Kong skipper Keenu Gill and Yasmin Daswani strode to the crease with an air of confidence. Gill stroked the opening ball through the covers for 2 before receiving a full toss that she managed to glide straight to the square leg fielder to give Singapore a much needed early breakthrough.

But then entered Betty Chan who looked a million dollars as she waited patiently on the front foot and made light work of the Singapore bowlers. Chan had a terrific partner in Daswani (33*) as they easily built a match winning partnership of 65 to chase the score down with some positive running and great stroke play.

Chan (24) tried to finish the game in the 12th over as showers started to fall, but was caught at point after mistiming a drive. But there was not going to be a collapse as Hong Kong went on to win in the 14th over when Priyanjali Jain (a former Singapore player and Captain) sent the second ball she faced straight down the ground to bring up an 8 wicket victory for the young Hong Kong players.

Betty Chan was later named Player of the Match for Hong Kong.

Match Summary: Singapore 74-7 from 20 overs (Diviya GK 22; M Hill 3-15, Chan KM 2-7, K Gill 2-4) lost to Hong Kong 78-2 in 13.2 overs (Y Daswani 33*, Chan KM 24) by 8 wickets

Tomorrow sees Hong Kong play two matches back-to-back. First up, they face the Cricket Without Borders team from Victoria, Australia. Then, they face Thailand who lost narrowly to Japan in today's other match.