Thailand Women produced a disciplined all-round performance to secure a convincing 42-run victory over Japan Women in the ACC Women’s Premier Cup 2026 at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur. After choosing to bat first, Thailand Women steadily built their innings through important partnerships and timely contributions across the batting order before their bowlers combined brilliantly to bowl Japan Women out for just 84 in the final over of the chase.
The innings began cautiously for Thailand Women as openers Natthakan Chantham and Phannita Maya looked to assess the conditions. The pair added 28 runs for the opening wicket, providing a stable platform before Chantham departed for 15 from 16 deliveries, striking two boundaries. Phannita Maya then continued to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard moving, contributing 20 runs from 29 balls. Alongside captain Nannapat Koncharoenkai, she added another 20 runs for the second wicket before being dismissed at 48/2 in the ninth over.
The backbone of Thailand Women’s innings came from skipper Nannapat Koncharoenkai, who anchored the innings superbly with an unbeaten 47 from 42 deliveries. Her knock featured four boundaries and ensured that Thailand maintained momentum despite wickets falling at regular intervals. Naruemol Chaiwai chipped in with a brisk 6 from 6 balls as the third-wicket partnership yielded 14 runs before she fell at 62/3. Koncharoenkai then shared a useful 15-run stand with Chanida Sutthiruang, who scored 7 off 8 balls. When Chanida departed at 77/4, Thailand still needed a strong finish in the final overs.
The middle order responded well. Aphisara Suwanchonrathi played an energetic innings of 12 from 11 balls, helping add 22 runs with her captain for the fifth wicket. Although Aphisara was dismissed at 99/5, Thailand Women continued to push forward. Suleeporn Laomi contributed 3 runs before being run out, while debutant Koranit Suwanchonrathi remained unbeaten on 9 from 8 deliveries. The unbroken seventh wicket stand between Koncharoenkai and Koranit ensured Thailand finished strongly on 126/6 from their 20 overs, scoring at 6.30 runs per over.
Japan Women’s bowling effort featured several noteworthy contributions. Ayaka Kato-Stafford was the standout performer, returning figures of 2/15 from her four overs while maintaining excellent control. Ayumi Fujikawa also claimed 2/29, while Nonoha Yasumoto picked up 1/18. Ahilya Chandel chipped in with an economical 0/14, and the fielding unit also contributed through a run-out. Despite these efforts, Thailand’s partnerships at crucial moments helped them post a competitive total.
Chasing 127, Japan Women suffered an early setback when Haruna Iwasaki was dismissed for 6 in the very first over with the score on 8. Kurumi Ota managed only 3 as Japan slipped to 10/2. Ayaka Kato-Stafford attempted to rebuild the innings and emerged as Japan’s top scorer with 29 runs from 40 balls, striking three boundaries. Alongside Shimako Kato, she added 17 runs for the third wicket, but regular breakthroughs prevented Japan from establishing momentum.
Shimako Kato scored 6, while captain Mai Yanagida contributed 2 before falling at 35/4. Erika Oda fought for 11 runs and added some resistance, while Ahilya Chandel made 9. Hinase Goto scored 7, Ayumi Fujikawa added 1, Mamta Kaswan remained unbeaten on 2, and Nonoha Yasumoto scored 1. The partnerships never developed beyond brief stands of 17 and 8 runs as Thailand’s bowlers consistently struck at key intervals. Japan’s innings eventually ended at 84 in 19.6 overs, falling well short of the target.
Thailand Women’s bowling attack delivered a complete team effort. Phannita Maya set the tone with outstanding figures of 2/12 from four overs. Sunida Chaturongrattana matched that impact with 2/16, while Thipatcha Putthawong claimed 3/6 to dismantle the middle and lower order. Suleeporn Laomi contributed 1/16, Koranit Suwanchonrathi picked up 1/12 on her WT20I debut, and Onnicha Kamchomphu bowled economically. The disciplined bowling display ensured Japan never gained control of the chase.
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