India opener Smriti Mandhana’s record-breaking 124 followed by a clinical bowling display helped them beat Hong Kong, China by 137 runs. India set a target of 194 and then bowled out Hong Kong for just 56 runs to qualify for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 semifinals. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led India registered their second-largest win by runs margin in T20Is.
Mandhana’s dominance floors Hong Kong
Hong Kong, China captain Natasha Miles won the toss and opted to bowl first. Their bowlers tested Mandhana early on with their slower ones away from the body. But, the opener found her groove in the fifth over with three boundaries. Then, Shafali Verma hit Marina Lamplough for a two sixes and as many fours. India were 60 for no loss after powerplay overs. The partnership was broken by Ruchitha Venkatesh with Shafali's wicket off a full toss. She scored 28 runs from 17 balls. In the 11th over, Mandhana reached her half-century from 40 balls with a six.
Pratika Rawal scored 10 runs from 12 balls on her T20I debut, getting out in the 13th over bowled by Joyleen Kaur. Mandhana continued to take the risk and finding boundaries often. In the 16th over, Alison Siu forced a miscued shot from her. But, the opener's catch was dropped when she was on 95. In the next over, Richa Ghosh got out caught and bowled. Then. Mandhana hit a four to reach her second T20I century. from 57 deliveries. This was her 18th century in international cricket, most by a batter surpassing former Australia skipper Meg Lanning and South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt.
In the 18th over, Mandhana whacked three sixes on the trot off Venkatesh. She surpassed former India captain Mithali Raj to become leading run-scorer in international cricket. In the penultimate over, skipper Harmanpreet lost her wicket to Lamplough. In the final over, Mandhana started with a boundary. After a single, she was run out following a mix-up with new batter Bharti Fulmali. Her splendid knock of 124 from 64 balls was laced with 14 fours and seven sixes. Three runs were scored off the remaining deliveries. India posted 193/5 on the board.
Hong Kong fail to put up a fight
Hong Kong, China batters looked timid in the run chase. Nandani Sharma knocked over Mariko Hill in the second over for a four-ball duck. Hong Kong had just 16 runs on the board after powerplay overs. After facing too many dot balls, Yasmin Daswani fell to Deepti Sharma in the ninth over. She scored just 11 runs from 23 balls. Then Prema Rawat dismissed Miles who faced 27 balls to score 15 runs. At the halfway stage, Hong Kong were 32/3.
There was no fight from Hong Kong batters as they kept on losing wickets. In the 16th over, three wickets fell including two taken by Deepti. She once again reclaimed the record for most wickets in T20Is. Sree Charani finished the proceedings on the second ball of the 17th over. They were bowled out for 56.
India will now Pakistan on September 5 with semifinal seat confirmed.