Women’s Asia Cup: Natthakan Chantham’s half-century enabled Thailand to defeat Pakistan by four wickets in Sylhet, giving them their first-ever triumph.
At the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, Natthakan Chantham’s half-century enabled Thailand to defeat Pakistan by four wickets for the first time in their history. With two points and one win from three games, Thailand has moved up to the fifth spot in the Asia Cup points table with this victory. With four points and two victories after three games, Pakistan is in second place in the standings. Pakistan scored 116/5 in 20 overs in the first innings. Sidra Ameen got 56 runs off 64 balls for a superb half-century. In her four required overs, Sornarin Tippoch took 2/20. Several other bowlers bowled efficient periods that slowed Pakistan’s run rate. Thanks to Chatham’s 61, Thailand was able to reach the goal of 117 with four wickets in hand.
Nannapat Koncharoenkai, a wicketkeeper-batsman, and Chatham gave Thailand a strong start in the 117-run chase by scoring 40 runs for the first wicket. Thailand was reduced to 40/2 by twin strikes from spinner Tuba Hassan (2/18), which sent back Koncharoenkai (13) and Chanida Sutthiruang (0).
Captain Naruemol Chaiwai then joined Chatham to advance the pursuit. For a while, the pair kept the scoreboard moving. Chaiwat was dismissed for 17 off 23 balls by medium pacer Kainat Imtiaz, breaking their 42-run partnership. Thailand’s rating was 82/3.
Thailand now required 35 runs in 27 balls.
Chatham then reached her half-century and continued to play through the other team’s wicket-fall. She was defeated for 61 off 51 balls by the spinner Nida Dar. In 18.4 overs, Thailand had a score of 105/6 and needed 12 runs in 8 balls.
With one ball remaining and four wickets in hand, Nattaya Boochatham (3) and Roseann Kanoh (9) led Thailand to victory.
Pakistan’s top bowlers were Nida Dar (2/26) and Tuba Hassan (2/18). Each Kainat Imtiaz and Nashra Sandhu took a wicket.
Pakistan initially decided to bat first. Muneeb Ali was caught by Thipatcha Putthawong for 15 off 14 balls, leaving Pakistan at 25/1. Pakistan was at 43/2 after skipper Bismah Maroof was run out for three.
The scoreboard was then maintained by Sidra Ameen and Nida Dar, who put together a stand of 41 runs before Tippoch dismissed Nida for just 12.
Ameen reached her half-century while holding one end firm. Tippoch caught Ayesha Naseem for 8, giving the bowler her second match-winning wicket. The final over saw Ameen being run out as well.
Pakistan’s innings came to a close after 20 overs at 116/5.
Thipatcha Putthawong (1/21) and Tippoch (2/20) took wickets for Thailand.
For 61 of 51, Chatham was “Man of the Match,” helping her team win this historic match.
