The Asian Games 2023 has started with the women's cricket matches currently taking place, before the main event kicks off on September 23. However, the performance of Mongolia's women's cricket team has come under intense scrutiny. Over two matches within a 24-hour window, the team managed a mere combined total of 37 runs, with individual match scores of 15 and 22 runs.
In their first encounter at the Pingfeng Campus Cricket Ground in China, the Indonesian women's team, batting first, posted a formidable 187/4. In stark contrast, the Mongolian side was skittled out for a paltry 15 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, resulting in a crushing 172-run defeat. The Mongolian batters struggled throughout, with the entire lineup collapsing for just 15 runs.
Six batters were sent back to the pavilion for ducks, while opener Batjargal Ichinkhorloo was the highest scorer, with five runs to her name.
Their woes continued in the subsequent match against Hong Kong. Batting first, Hong Kong amassed a total of 202/4 in 20 overs, with Captain Carrie Chan leading the charge, scoring a brisk 70 off 39 balls, peppered with 11 boundaries and a six. Other batters chipped in with valuable contributions. From Mongolia's side, Sendsuren Erintsetseg claimed two wickets, while Gergalsekhan Ardensuv and Battsetseg Namunjuul took a wicket each.
However, Mongolia's batting debacle persisted. Both openers were dismissed within the first 10 runs, and the wicketkeeper failed to get off the mark. In the match against Indonesia, seven Mongolian players were dismissed without scoring, and against Hong Kong, five batters returned with ducks.
In total, 12 players failed to score across the two matches. The highest individual score for Mongolia was a mere 5 runs by an opener. The team was bundled out for 22 runs in 14.3 overs, handing Hong Kong a monumental 180-run victory.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
T20 World Cup 2024: USA's New York City set to gear up for India-Pakistan Showdown!
New Zealand pacer fighting against time to get fit for ODI World Cup, undergoes thumb surgery
