'Asia Cup exposure will be huge for Hong Kong cricket': Mamatha Maben

BENGALURU: Mamatha Maben holds a special place in Indian women's cricket. She once returned to the national side after eight years and 161 days, a comeback that reflected her resilience and resolve. After hanging up her boots, the now-55-year-old has turned to coaching, working with home state Karnataka as well as national teams in China, Bangladesh and Namibia. Last year, she took up another challenge - bringing together working professionals, full-time cricketers and students to form a competitive Hong Kong team.Eight months into her tenure, the team has made significant strides and qualified for the upcoming Women's Asia Cup in the UAE. Hong Kong secured their place in the eight-team tournament with a semifinal finish at the ACC Women's Premier Cup in Malaysia.Speaking to TOI about her journey with Hong Kong, Mamatha said, "Truth be told, when I joined them, they were like a club team. A lot of work has gone into the team, and it has been possible because the players are like good students. We've upskilled about 30-40% over the past few months. Like any associate nation, things are tough in terms of infrastructure and player availability because many are working full time or college students."The progress will face its toughest test yet in the Asia Cup, where Hong Kong have been drawn alongside India, Pakistan and Thailand, with only the top team advancing from the group.Mamatha, however, sees the tournament primarily as an opportunity for her players to learn and understand the demands of international cricket. "In terms of value, the Asia Cup exposure is huge. It will help the players change their mindset because not all of them are at the international level yet. When they play against countries like India and Pakistan, they will know the difference. Also, it helps us measure where we stand and what the way forward is," she said.(Watch ACC Women's Asia Cup 2026 starting August 28, 2026, from 8 PM on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony LIV)Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.