Pakistan women secured a hard-fought three-wicket victory over Thailand in the second quarter-final of the Asian Games Women’s Cricket competition at Korogi Athletic Park on Thursday.
The rain-affected match was reduced to an 11-over contest, with Thailand posting 91 for four after Pakistan opted to field first. Pakistan then chased down the revised target of 92 in 10.4 overs, sealing victory with two balls remaining.
The win sends Pakistan into the Asian Games Women’s Cricket semi-finals, scheduled for Sunday, September 20, at the same venue.
Nannapat Koncharoenkai Leads Thailand’s Batting
Thailand made a competitive start despite the shortened format, with No. 3 batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai producing an impressive innings of 49 from 38 balls.
Koncharoenkai struck seven boundaries and anchored Thailand’s innings after Pakistan made an early breakthrough.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana struck with the second ball of her opening over to dismiss Thailand opener Natthakan Chantham for six.
Koncharoenkai subsequently combined with Phannita Maya for a 65-run second-wicket partnership. Maya contributed 15 from 16 balls, including one four, before Thailand ended the partnership through a tactical retirement.
Thailand captain Naruemol Chaiwai added further momentum with a six and a four during her three-ball cameo worth 10 runs.
Fatima Sana denied Koncharoenkai a half-century in the final over, trapping the batter leg-before-wicket to finish with impressive figures of two for 22 from three overs.
Pakistan Make Fast Start Before Thailand Fight Back
Pakistan began their chase aggressively through openers Shawaal Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza.
The pair added 36 runs in just 3.5 overs, with Zulfiqar leading the attack. She scored 25 from 14 balls, hitting three fours and a six, while Feroza contributed 16 from 13 deliveries.
Thailand responded strongly, however, claiming four Pakistan wickets for just 11 runs from 13 deliveries.
Pakistan reached the end of the powerplay at 47 for four, leaving the chase finely balanced.
Fatima Sana Provides Crucial Boost
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana then stepped up with an attacking contribution in the middle order.
Batting at No. 4 for only the second time in her T20I career, Fatima scored 21 from 13 balls, hitting three fours and a six.
Her most productive over came in the eighth, when she struck Onnicha Kamchomphu for four boundaries from the first four deliveries. Eyman Fatima then finished the over with a six as Pakistan collected 25 runs from six balls.
With Pakistan requiring 19 runs from the final 18 deliveries, Thailand again fought back by removing Fatima in the ninth over before dismissing Eyman Fatima and Tuba Hassan in the 10th.
Tuba Hassan Helps Pakistan Cross the Finish Line
With Pakistan still needing 16 runs from 12 balls, Tuba Hassan produced a crucial late cameo.
The all-rounder smashed a six and a four in the penultimate over to reduce the requirement to just four runs from the final six balls.
Umm-e-Hani and Eman Naseer then kept their composure, taking four singles from four deliveries.
Umm-e-Hani scored the winning run as Pakistan reached 92 for seven in 10.4 overs, completing a three-wicket victory.
Pakistan Book Asian Games Semi-Final Spot
The result puts Pakistan into the semi-finals of the Asian Games Women’s Cricket competition, where the two semi-final matches will be played on Sunday, September 20, at Korogi Athletic Park.
Pakistan will now look to build on the hard-earned victory over Thailand as they continue their campaign for an Asian Games medal.
Pakistan vs Thailand: Scorecard
Thailand: 91/4 in 11 overs
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Nannapat Koncharoenkai: 49
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Fatima Sana: 2/22
Pakistan: 92/7 in 10.4 overs
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Shawaal Zulfiqar: 25
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Fatima Sana: 21
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Onnicha Kamchomphu: 3/37
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Sunida Chaturongrattana: 2/23
Result: Pakistan won by three wickets.
Pakistan Women’s Asian Games Schedule
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17 September: Quarter-final — Pakistan beat Thailand by three wickets
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20 September: Semi-finals
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22 September: Bronze and Gold Medal matches
Pakistan’s victory over Thailand was ultimately a composed chase under pressure, with contributions from Zulfiqar, Fatima Sana and Tuba Hassan helping the team overcome Thailand’s spirited challenge in the rain-shortened quarter-final.
