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
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.
“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.”
“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.”
A total of 12 Hong Kong cricketers are expected to play in the event, with Mariko Hill, Kary Chan, Ruchita Venkatesh, Betty Chan, Emma Lai and Mariyam Bibi among the 90 players from 36 countries already selected. Another six of the city’s female players will be named soon.
Sana Mir, the former Pakistan captain, will lead the Sapphires and said being handed the reigns to the team was a “very proud moment”.
“The team comprises some incredible cricketers like Chamari Athapaththu, Shabnim Ismail and Kim Garth. There will be 10 to 13 different nationalities in any one team so it’s going to be an incredible tournament,” she said.
Athapaththu, the Sri Lanka captain, has dominated as a batter for more than 10 years, and holds the record for the second highest individual score in Women’s World Cup history with a 178 not out against Australia in 2017.
Garth, who plays for Melbourne Stars in the Women’s Big Bash League, will be joined in the side by Irish compatriot Gaby Lewis, who was named in the International Cricket Council’s Women’s T20I Team of the Year on Sunday.
