Mandhana's record 124 off 64 powers India to 193/5 vs Hong Kong China
Synopsis
Smriti Mandhana didn't just bat well in Dubai — she rewrote the record books. Her 124 off 64 balls is now the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history, and it pushed her past Mithali Raj to become women's cricket's all-time leading run-scorer. India's middle order, however, managed just 34 runs — a subplot that could matter in tougher fixtures ahead.
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.
Mandhana surpassed Mithali Raj's career tally of 10,868 runs to become the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket.
Her 18th international hundred across formats is the most centuries by any batter in women's international cricket, overtaking Meg Lanning .
India posted 193/5 in 20 overs , setting Hong Kong China a target of 194 in Dubai on 3 September .
India's middle order contributed only 34 runs outside Mandhana, flagging a concern ahead of tougher matches.
Shafali Verma scored 28 ; Marina Lamplough was Hong Kong China's best bowler with 2 for 46 .
Smriti Mandhana blazed an extraordinary 124 off 64 balls — the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history — to propel India to 193/5 against Hong Kong China in Dubai on 3 September. The innings also made Mandhana the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket, surpassing former India captain Mithali Raj's career tally of 10,868 runs.
A Record-Breaking Knock
Opening alongside Shafali Verma after Hong Kong China elected to bowl, Mandhana adapted swiftly to a slow, low-paced surface at Dubai to register her second T20I century — studded with 14 fours and 7 sixes. She reached the milestone in the 17th over, cutting Marina Lamplough through backward point off 58 balls. The innings also earned her an 18th international hundred across formats, the most centuries by any batter in women's international cricket, taking her past Australia's Meg Lanning on that list.
How the Innings Unfolded
India began cautiously, taking just five runs from the opening over. Mandhana found her touch in the second over, sweeping wrist-spinner Kary Chan for the first boundary. Shafali Verma then detonated in the sixth over against Marina Lamplough, smashing two sixes and two fours in a 22-run over to push India to 60/0 at the powerplay. Their 50-run opening stand — their 29th fifty-plus partnership in T20Is — ended in the eighth over when Shafali miscued a full toss from off-spinner Ruchitha Venkatesh to fall for 28.
Mandhana shifted gears in the back half. She reached her fifty off 41 balls with a six in the 11th over, then produced the innings' defining sequence in the 18th over — advancing down the track to hit three consecutive sixes off Ruchitha. Her knock ended on the penultimate ball when she was run out following a mid-pitch mix-up with Bharti Fulmali.
Middle Order Still a Concern
Pratika Rawal fell for 10 in the 13th over, caught at point off Joyleen Kaur. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 10 and Richa Ghosh added 11, but India's middle order — excluding Mandhana — managed only 34 runs in total. That remains a worrisome gap in an otherwise dominant batting display, and one India's think-tank will need to address as the tournament progresses.
Hong Kong China Struggle to Contain India
Hong Kong China's bowlers struggled to maintain consistent lengths under pressure. Marina Lamplough was the pick of the attack with 2 for 46, while Joyleen Kaur took 1 for 12. India's total of 193/5 set Hong Kong China a stiff target of 194 to chase.
Brief scores: India 193/5 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 124, Shafali Verma 28; Marina Lamplough 2-46, Joyleen Kaur 1-12) vs Hong Kong China.
Point of View
Yes, but her ability to recalibrate on a slow Dubai surface and still strike at nearly 194 speaks to elite adaptability. The more important story, however, is what happened around her: India's middle order scratched out just 34 runs, a recurring vulnerability that stronger opponents will exploit. Becoming the all-time leading run-scorer in women's cricket cements Mandhana's place among the sport's greats, yet individual brilliance alone will not win India the Asia Cup. The team's depth beyond the top two remains the unresolved question.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Smriti Mandhana set in the Women's T20 Asia Cup?
Smriti Mandhana scored 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong China on 3 September in Dubai, the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history. The knock eclipsed Chamari Athapaththu's previous record of 119 not out against Malaysia in 2024.
How did Mandhana become the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket?
Her innings against Hong Kong China took her past former India captain Mithali Raj's career tally of 10,868 runs, making Mandhana the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket across all formats.
How many international centuries does Smriti Mandhana now have?
Mandhana now has 18 international hundreds across formats, the most by any batter in women's international cricket. The milestone took her past Australia's Meg Lanning on the all-time list.
What was India's final score against Hong Kong China in the Women's T20 Asia Cup?
India posted 193/5 in 20 overs in Dubai on 3 September, setting Hong Kong China a target of 194. Besides Mandhana's 124, Shafali Verma contributed 28 at the top of the order.
What concern emerged from India's batting despite the big total?
India's middle order managed only 34 runs collectively, with Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh contributing just 10 and 11 respectively. The over-reliance on Mandhana and the top order could prove costly against stronger opposition in the tournament.
