India opener Smriti Mandhana passed former captain Mithali Raj to become the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket during her team’s Asia Cup victory over Hong Kong, China.
Mandhana struck 124 from 64 deliveries, including 14 fours and seven sixes. The innings lifted her career total across Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20 internationals to 10,880 runs, moving her beyond Raj’s previous mark of 10,868.
Her century was the 18th of her international career, taking her past former Australia captain Meg Lanning for the most hundreds in women’s international cricket, according to the International Cricket Council.
Mandhana and Shafali Verma put on 74 for India’s opening wicket before Verma was dismissed. With no other India batter passing 11, Mandhana anchored the innings as the defending champions reached 193 for five from 20 overs.
Hong Kong, China struggled in the chase as Deepti Sharma took three wickets for nine runs. Nandani Sharma, Prema Rawat and Shree Charani claimed two wickets each.
The victory was India’s second consecutive win and moved the team to the top of Group A.
Mandhana made her senior international debut in 2013. Her latest innings was also her second T20 international century, further extending a career that has included hundreds in all three international formats.
