Hong Kong Tri Series 2026
The 2026 Hong Kong Tri Series is being staged at the Mission Road Ground (aka Tin Kwong)in Mong Kok and features Malaysia and China up against the host nation. As we head into the tournament, what can we expect from the three teams?
Hong Kong
Hong Kong has improved in many of the areas where Malaysia is lacking. In recent times, the likes of Yasmin Daswani and Maryam Bibi have lengthened the home side’s batting order with big performances in clutch situations. Daswani scored her maiden T20I half-century against Bhutan at the Lotus Cup when she top-scored with 70.
Bibi has long been regarded as the future of Hong Kong cricket, and her elevation to the vice-captaincy is proof of this. Bibi’s batting average of below 12 is no indication of her potential. She has a rare ability to get going from ball one. The home side will be further boosted by the availability of Marina Lamplough, who has played some quick cameos for Northern Districts in New Zealand this past season.
Anyone who has followed Hong Kong cricket for any amount of time will be familiar with the pedigree of Kary Chan, Mariko Hill and captain Natasha Miles. Instead, let’s talk about 15-year old Hong Kong Cricket Club seamer Storm Parker who should hopefully get to add to her 3 T20I caps but might find it hard to break into an XI that is likely to feature Alison Siu and Iqra Sahar, who are both skilled new ball operators.
All in all, Hong Kong are the favorites and will be disappointed not to end the tournament unbeaten.
Last five games: W, W, W, W, W
Malaysia
There is no way to sugarcoat things. Malaysia is struggling. Their most recent international tri-series was a winless six-game run at the Lotus Cup in Bhutan, a tournament that also featured Hong Kong. This was followed by the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars series, where they enjoyed useful game time against Thailand and the A teams of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
While the harsh high-altitude and chilly terrain of the Himalayan nation was a far cry from the tropical Southeast Asian climate they grew up in, Malaysia was twice hammered by Bhutanese team that punched above expectations in addition to a defeat in a last-over thriller.
They’ve long been over-reliant on runs from Mas Elysa and Winifred Duraisingam with only Mahirah Izzati and Ainna Hamizah providing any sort of consistent support. At the time of publishing, the reason for Hamizah’s absence from the team has not been confirmed by sources at the Malaysian Cricket Association. Nevertheless, Malaysia’s thin batting line up will certainly miss their regular opener.
To their credit, Malaysia batted out their overs in all three of their Rising Stars fixtures, and spin remains their most potent threat. At their best, they can suffocate any opposition with left-arm spinner Arianna Natasya and the off-spin duo of Mahirah Izzati and Nur Dania Syuhada. If there is any purchase for spinners at the Tin Kwong Recreation ground, Malaysia’s threat will multiply. Watch out for Aina Najwa and Elysa in the field. It’s a joy to watch them diving around as Malaysia’s spinners race through their overs.
Last five games: L, L, L, L, L
China
China remains as the great unknown in this equation. With Hong Kong on a winning streak and Malaysia on a losing streak, where does China fit in?
Against Malaysia, China has played two games for a win and a loss, both in 2019. Against Hong Kong, a little more active data. The two have played 13 times with China winning four and Hong Kong eight, with one tied match. Their most recent encounter was in September 2025 where China won by 5 wickets in Hangzhou.
The Chinese players are not as well known internationally as the Hong Kong or Malaysian teams, but clearly from the team results over the last couple of years, “not known” doesn’t mean “no good”.
Leading the team is Mingyue Zhu, an allrounder who has a best of 4-16, taken in her Player of the Match performance against Myanmar at the Hangzhou Quadrangular last September. Indeed she nearly guided her team to winning the tournament, finishing equal first, but pipped by Net Run Rate.
Last five games: W, W, L, W, W
