HK Women: keen for challenge ahead

The Hong Kong Women's Cricket Team depart for Malaysia on Sunday, aspiring to emulate the feats of the men's and Under-19 teams at their respective ACC tournaments. Hong Kong is one of 12 teams competing at the inaugural ACC Women's Twenty20 Championships.

The Hong Kong team is coached by Hong Kong national coach, Aftab Habib and will be captained by Neisha Pratt. The team will play 2 practice games against Malaysia and China before their first tournament game against U.A.E. on July 3rd. The team has been training intensively and are looking to build on their positive performance in the recent series against Pakistan 'A' in April. Hong Kong Captain, Neisha Pratt is positive about the team's chances. "We have a very balanced side with experienced and young players." Pratt said. "We have one of the best bowling attacks and a strong fielding unit. If we can stay confident and focussed we are a strong contender for the title." The team will be looking to key players, Pratt, Connie Wong and Keenu Gill to spearhead the batting; they will be ably supported by 13 year old Mariko Hill and 15 year old Chan Sau Ha. Coach, Aftab Habib is also positive about the team's chances: "the team has trained well over the past 3 months. We have a talented side and I am looking forward to watching them perform in the tournament. The progress these players have made in the past six months is very exciting."

Twelve teams will take part in the tournament, the first time Twenty/20 has been played by women in the ACC area. Women's cricket has shown tremendous growth in the past three years and it exciting to see such a diverse range of countries meeting to take part. The twelve teams taking part are: Hong Kong, Malaysia, U.A.E, China, Kuwait, Oman, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Qatar, Bhutan, and Iran. The teams are divided into two pools to play round robin before the semis then final on July 11th. The Hong Kong team includes a number of experienced players, and making her debut is left handed Alvina Tam.

The team is Neisha Pratt - (Captain), Keenu Gill - (Vice Captain), Connie Wong, Godiva Li, Alvina Tam, Emma Phillips, Angela Kwan, Ishitaa Gidwani, Smita Chhetri, Bess Hepworth, Chan Sau Ha, Betty Chan, Yasmin Daswani, Mariko Hill

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