Women’s Asia Cup: Jay Shah Congratulates Smriti Mandhana For Record-making 124 Vs Hong Kong

By Pramit Meher

**Mandhana Makes History With Explosive 124 in Women's Asia Cup Win Over Hong Kong** India's Smriti Mandhana etched her name into the record books with a record-breaking 124 off just 64 balls against Hong Kong in the Women's T20 Asia Cup in Dubai on Thursday. ICC Chairman Jay Shah was among those to congratulate her for the landmark knock. **The Record-Breaking Knock** Opening alongside Shafali Verma on a slow, low-paced surface, Mandhana overcame the conditions with a stroke-filled innings featuring 14 boundaries and seven sixes. It was her second T20I century and the first by an Indian women's batter, pushing India to 193/5 after Hong Kong won the toss and elected to field first. Jay Shah praised her achievement on Instagram, noting she became the highest runscorer (10,880) and leading centurymaker (18) in women's international cricket. She surpassed Mithali Raj's tally of 10,868 runs and edged past Meg Lanning for the most international hundreds. **Building the Innings** Mandhana found her rhythm early, sweeping wristspinner Kary Chan for the first boundary in the second over. Shafali's explosive sixth over (22 runs, two sixes, two fours) took India to 60/0 by the end of the powerplay. Their 50-run opening stand ended in the 8th over when Shafali miscued for 28. Adapting to the lack of pace, Mandhana leaned on backfoot placement and lofted shots, including three consecutive sixes off Ruchitha in the 18th over. Her innings ended on the penultimate ball when she was run out after a mid-pitch mixup with Bharti Fulmali. **Bowlers Dominate** India's bowlers then ran through Hong Kong's lineup, dismissing them for just 56 to secure a massive 137-run victory. **A Concerning Flag** From a cricket standpoint, the middle order's struggle is worth noting—India's middle order managed only 34 runs while setting the target, a department that still needs attention ahead of tougher fixtures. *Source: IANS* Source: Cricketnmore