Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Smriti Mandhana produced a stunning batting display against Hong Kong on Thursday, smashing a record-breaking century to send a strong warning to Pakistan ahead of their Women’s Asia Cup clash on September 5.
The India opener reached her hundred off just 57 balls, becoming the first Indian woman to score multiple centuries in T20Is. Her latest landmark also took her tally to 18 centuries in international cricket, moving her clear of Australia’s Meg Lanning and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who have 17 each.
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Mandhana’s innings came at an important time for India. The seven-time champions had opened their campaign with a 94-run win over Thailand, but their batting had shown vulnerability as several top-order batters struggled.
MANDHANA SHIFTS GEARS AFTER MEASURED START
Mandhana initially took her time before launching into Hong Kong’s attack. She brought up her half-century from 39 balls, but accelerated dramatically thereafter.
The left-hander began finding the boundary with greater regularity in the middle overs. She drove an overpitched delivery through the off side before pulling and sweeping the Hong Kong bowlers into the gaps. She then took the attack to Maryam Bibi, launching successive sixes — one straight down the ground and another over deep square leg.
Mandhana moved into the 90s with back-to-back fours in the 14th over, first swivelling a short ball towards deep square leg before coming down the pitch and lofting one over deep extra cover.
She had a slice of fortune soon after. On 95, Mandhana slog-swept Alison Siu high towards deep mid-wicket, only for the fielder to grass what should have been a straightforward catch. She made Hong Kong pay immediately, smashing another four through deep mid-wicket.
At 96, Mandhana needed four more for history. Marina Lamplough bowled slightly short outside off and Mandhana stayed back, got on top of the delivery and cut it past the fielder at deep backward point to complete her century off 57 balls.
The hundred also made Mandhana only the second batter after Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu to score a century in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup.
The milestone adds further significance ahead of India’s September 5 meeting with Pakistan. Mandhana also went past Mithali Raj’s record as the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket, having already moved past Suzie Bates earlier in the tournament.
With Pakistan next, Mandhana’s explosive hundred has given India’s arch-rivals an early glimpse of the challenge awaiting them.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
