New Delhi, August 28: Carrie Chan, the left-arm wrist-spinner from Hong Kong-China, recently spent some time in the hospital due to diarrhea. This was a minor setback in her dream of playing in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, but she is now fully recovered. Known on the team sheet as Ka Ying Chan, she is one of only seven female bowlers in T20 international cricket to have taken 150 or more wickets.
The Hong Kong-China team, placed in Group A, will kick off their campaign against Thailand on October 28. They will then face India on September 3 and Pakistan on September 7. Carrie is thrilled about the opportunity to play against these powerhouse teams.
In an exclusive interview with Sony Sports Network, Carrie expressed, “It feels surreal and incredible because we always watched the Indian and Pakistani teams play on TV, and we never had the chance to compete against them. When we qualified through the 2026 Women’s Premier Cup, we were all very excited. It was hard to believe; it felt like a dream. We are all eagerly looking forward to it.”
For Carrie, bowling against players she has long admired on screen is an honor. She stated, “I can’t describe this feeling because I learned cricket by watching these players on screen. Now, I’m going to play against them. I have to bowl to them and face their bowling. Honestly, I am nervous, but I am extremely excited. I have learned many skills from them and watched numerous cricket videos and matches to improve my game. Now, I have the chance to show what we are capable of.”
The team gained valuable experience during their preparation in Sri Lanka, facing various conditions and bowling styles they expect to encounter in Dubai. She noted, “We faced many types of bowlers, including left-arm bowlers we had never encountered before. This is similar to what we will see in the Asia Cup, as both India and Pakistan have bowlers we have never faced.”
“Facing these different bowlers was a great opportunity for our match preparation, especially since the pitch conditions here are quite similar to those in Dubai. Therefore, I believe we have prepared well in Sri Lanka and are fully ready for the Asia Cup.”
Behind this excitement is a transformed team, elevated by the professional standards brought in by former Indian captain and current head coach Mamta Maben. Carrie remarked, “Having Maben in our team is significant because she has been a captain for India and has extensive experience in playing and coaching at the international level. Since she started coaching us, we have reached a new level. Her focus is primarily on high quality, professionalism, and becoming the best. When she joined, she transformed us—not just in terms of skills but also mentally—how we prepare for the game, our routines, and the little things we previously overlooked. This culture has made us better cricketers.”
Alongside Maben, the team’s strength and conditioning coach, Tanuja Lele, has revamped their fitness routines over the past three months. Carrie shared, “We have a fantastic S&C coach who guides us on what to eat, what not to eat, and what we need to do. Previously, we had trainers from other sports, but they weren’t tailored for cricket. Now, we have trainers who understand cricket well, which allows them to provide us with excellent programs tailored to our needs as cricketers, batters, and bowlers. This inspires me because she has also trained Indian team players. I think, ‘If I follow her advice, maybe one day we can reach their level.’ It’s not easy, but honestly, I am enjoying it a lot.”
This journey has not been without significant challenges, particularly regarding basic facilities at the domestic level. Carrie explained, “I think different teams or countries face different issues. Yes, we have a field problem and limited training space, but I always tell the girls that we cannot complain about our environment. We cannot change our surroundings or suddenly get new facilities. If we cannot control those things, we just accept them, adapt to the circumstances, and do what we can. We primarily use our free time wisely. If we have free time today, we use it to give our best and work as much as possible. So, we have gotten used to it. Of course, in the future, we hope that since we have qualified for this Asia Cup, the government can provide us with more time for training on turf wickets or larger fields for fielding training and other activities. This is important for the children of Hong Kong because we are not traditionally a cricket city, and many people are not familiar with the sport. However, seeing a team like ours qualify for the Asia Cup will motivate the younger generation and show them that anything is possible.”
She added, “I am a huge fan of Smriti Mandhana because I am also a left-handed player, and she is a legend among left-handed players worldwide. I’m not sure if she will swap jerseys with me, but if I get the chance, I would love to exchange jerseys with her.”
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