Hong Kong cricketer Betty Chan part of South Coast Sapphires squad for FairBreak Invitational Women’s T20 tournament

Betty Chan one of 12 players from city expected to take part in Dubai event that will run from May 1 to 15

Sapphires to be led by former Pakistan captain Sana Mir, with fast bowler Shabnim Ismail also included

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UAE batter Chamani Seneviratna drives the ball back towards Hong Kong’s Betty Chan during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers in Dubai. Photo: ICC

Published: 3:39pm, 25 Jan 2022Updated: 6:09pm, 25 Jan 2022

Hong Kong cricketer Betty Chan has been named in the South Coast Sapphires squad that will play in the FairBreak Invitational Women’s T20 tournament in Dubai in May.

The right-arm spin bowler will form part of an attack that includes Shabnim Ismail, one of the fastest female bowlers in the world, 17 year-old quick Geetika Kodali, who made her debut for the US in 2019, and Australia’s Jade Allen, a 19-year-old leg spinner.

Chan made her international debut in 2006 and was part of the Hong Kong side who finished second at the ICC T20 World Cup qualifying campaign in Dubai in November.

Hong Kong opener Mariko Hill (left) has also been invited to take part in the FairBreak tournament. Photo: ICC

“I’m so excited to be selected in the South Coast Sapphires and being able to share the field with such an incredible group of cricketers,” Chan said. “It’s a proud moment for me not just personally but to be a part of something that brings associate cricket and women’s cricket into the spotlight.”

Organisers have also confirmed a previous Post story that the tournament will take place in the United Arab Emirates from May 1 to 15, with Sapphires and five other teams travelling to the UAE in late April for four days of training before the cricket starts.

“Cricket Hong Kong is looking forward to the FairBreak Invitational T20 to be held in Dubai from May 1 to May 15 2022,” Tony Melloy, Cricket Hong Kong’s chairman, said. “Whilst we are disappointed we cannot hold the event in Hong Kong this year, we are grateful to the Emirates Cricket Board for agreeing to provide a venue for CHK to host the event in Dubai. It promises to be a groundbreaking event.

“Cricket Hong Kong looks forward to the event returning home to Hong Kong in 2023.”