Mandhana's record 124 powers India to 137-run rout of Hong Kong in Women's Asia Cup
Synopsis
Smriti Mandhana didn't just win a match — she rewrote the record books. Her 124 off 64 balls is the highest score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history, made her the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket, and gave her the most centuries across formats in the women's game. India won by 137 runs, but the middle-order fragility remains a subplot worth watching.
Key Takeaways
Smriti Mandhana scored 124 off 64 balls — the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history, eclipsing Chamari Athapaththu's 119 not out from 2024.
Mandhana became the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket , surpassing Mithali Raj's tally of 10,868 runs .
Her 18th international hundred across formats is the most centuries by any batter in women's international cricket, moving her past Meg Lanning .
India posted 193/5 and bowled Hong Kong-China out for 56 to win by 137 runs in Dubai on 3 September .
Deepti Sharma led the bowling with 3/9 ; Nandani Sharma , N.
Shree Charani , and Prema Rawat each claimed two wickets.
India's middle order contributed just 34 runs , flagging a concern ahead of the knockout rounds.
Smriti Mandhana blazed an extraordinary 124 off 64 balls — the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history — as India dismantled Hong Kong-China by 137 runs in a Group A fixture of the Women's T20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, 3 September. The victory is India's second in the group stage and was sealed by a clinical bowling display that bundled Hong Kong out for just 56 in 16.2 overs.
Mandhana's Historic Knock
Opening alongside Shafali Verma, India vice-captain Mandhana overcame a slow, low-paced Dubai surface to register her second T20 International century, making her the first Indian women's batter to achieve that landmark. Her innings was studded with 14 boundaries and seven sixes, and she reached three figures off just 58 balls by cutting Marina Lamplough through backward point in the 17th over.
Notably, the knock also carried her past Mithali Raj's career international tally of 10,868 runs, making Mandhana the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket. Her 18th international hundred across formats also moved her past Meg Lanning as the batter with the most centuries in women's international cricket. Her milestone-laden innings ended on the penultimate ball when a mid-pitch mix-up with Bharti Fulmali resulted in a run-out.
The 124 eclipses Chamari Athapaththu's previous Women's T20 Asia Cup record of 119 not out, set against Malaysia in 2024.
India's Batting: Powerplay Dominance, Middle-Order Question
India raced to 60/0 at the end of the powerplay, with Shafali Verma striking two sixes and two fours in a 22-run sixth over off Lamplough. The opening stand of 50 runs — the pair's 29th fifty-plus T20I partnership — ended in the eighth over when Shafali miscued a full toss from off-spinner Ruchitha Venkatesh to fall for 28. Pratika Rawal contributed 10 before departing in the 13th over.
Mandhana then shifted gears dramatically, advancing down the track to hit three consecutive sixes off Ruchitha in the 18th over. Richa Ghosh (11) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (10) made brief contributions, but India's middle order collectively managed just 34 runs — a concern that will not be lost on the team management. India finished at 193/5 in 20 overs.
India's Bowling: Deepti Leads a Collective Effort
Chasing 194, Hong Kong-China lost their first wicket for just 2 runs in the second over and never recovered. All-rounder Deepti Sharma led the attack with figures of 3/9 in 3 overs. Spinner N. Shree Charani (2/16), Nandani Sharma (2/6) and Prema Rawat (2/12) each claimed two wickets as India enforced a comprehensive bowling performance.
Only three Hong Kong batters reached double figures: skipper Natasha Miles (15), wicketkeeper-batter Yasmin Daswani (11), and Marina Lamplough (13). Hong Kong were dismissed for 56 in 16.2 overs.
Brief Scores
India 193/5 in 20 overs (Mandhana 124, Shafali 28; Lamplough 2/46) beat Hong Kong-China 56 all out in 16.2 overs (Miles 15; Deepti 3/9, Nandani 2/6, Charani 2/16, Rawat 2/12) by 137 runs.
India will look to carry this momentum into their remaining group matches, though shoring up the middle order remains an area to watch ahead of the knockout stages.
Point of View
All in one innings. But the match also surfaced a persistent concern: India's middle order managed just 34 runs, meaning the top order is doing almost all the heavy lifting. Against stronger opposition in the knockouts, that imbalance could prove costly. The bowling, however, was exemplary — four bowlers sharing eight wickets with economy rates that suggest India's spin attack is well-suited to UAE conditions.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Smriti Mandhana set in the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2024?
Mandhana scored 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong-China on 3 September, the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history. It surpassed Chamari Athapaththu's previous record of 119 not out set against Malaysia in 2024.
Is Smriti Mandhana now the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket?
Yes. Mandhana's 124 took her past former India captain Mithali Raj's career tally of 10,868 international runs, making her the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket. She also now holds the record for the most centuries — 18 — across formats in the women's game, overtaking Australia's Meg Lanning.
What was India's final score against Hong Kong-China?
India posted 193/5 in 20 overs, then bowled Hong Kong-China out for 56 in 16.2 overs to win by 137 runs. It was India's second win in Group A of the Women's T20 Asia Cup.
Who were India's best bowlers against Hong Kong-China?
Deepti Sharma was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 9 runs in 3 overs. Nandani Sharma (2/6), N. Shree Charani (2/16), and Prema Rawat (2/12) each took two wickets as India dismissed Hong Kong for 56.
What concern emerged for India despite the big win?
India's middle order contributed only 34 runs collectively, with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (10) and Richa Ghosh (11) making brief cameos. The over-reliance on the top order — particularly Mandhana — could be a vulnerability against stronger sides in the knockout stages.
