The 2nd Quarter-Final of the Asian Games Women’s Cricket Competition produced high-octane drama at Nisshin as Pakistan Women held their nerve to edge out Thailand Women in a thrilling encounter. In a rain-curtailed fixture reduced to 11 overs per side, Thailand Women set the stage before Pakistan pulled off a heart-stopping run-chase with just two balls to spare.
Electing to bat, Thailand Women faced an early setback when opening batter Natthakan Chantham (6 off 5 balls) was dismissed by Fatima Sana, caught behind by Ayesha Zafar at 7/1 in 1.2 overs. However, Nannapat Koncharoenkai anchored the innings superbly, crafting a fluent 49 off 38 deliveries with seven boundaries. She built a solid middle-over partnership alongside Phannita Maya, who contributed a steady 15 off 16 balls before being retired out at 72/2 in 8.6 overs.
Following Maya’s exit, skipper Naruemol Chaiwai stepped up with a rapid 10 off just 3 balls, hitting a boundary and a maximum before falling to Nashra Sandhu at 82/3 in 9.3 overs. Fatima Sana returned to wrap up her fine spell by trapping the top-scorer Koncharoenkai lbw at 88/4 in 10.4 overs, leaving Chanida Sutthiruang (3* off 3) and Aphisara Suwanchonrathi (1* off 1) to close out the innings.
Among Pakistan’s bowlers, Fatima Sana led the attack with clinical figures of 2 for 22 in her 3 overs, supported by Nashra Sandhu, who picked up 1 for 19 in 2 overs. Tasmia Rubab proved highly economical, yielding just 11 runs from 2 overs without a wicket. Tuba Hassan provided tight control with 0/15 in 2 overs, while Umm-e-Hani conceded 22 runs in her 2-over spell.
Chasing a target of 92 runs in 11 overs, Pakistan Women kicked off their chase aggressively with openers Shawaal Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza. Zulfiqar smashed a fiery 25 off 14 balls (3 fours, 1 six) before being caught and bowled by Onnicha Kamchomphu at 36/1 in 3.5 overs.
Ayesha Zafar fell cheaply for 1 off 4 balls, caught by Maya off Suleeporn Laomi at 37/2 in 4.3 overs. Wicketkeeper Gull Feroza added a vital 16 off 13 balls before being stumped by Koncharoenkai off Kamchomphu at 43/3 in 5.3 overs. Just three balls later, Aliya Riaz (4 off 3) was caught by Chantham off Kamchomphu, sending Pakistan into a wobble at 47/4 in 5.6 overs.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana took charge of the tricky chase, blasting 21 off 13 balls (3 fours, 1 six) before falling to Phannita Maya at 73/5 in 8.1 overs. Eyman Fatima chimed in with 7 off 5 balls, caught off Sunida Chaturongrattana at 77/6 in 9.2 overs, before Tuba Hassan launched a crucial 13 off 7 balls to bring the equation within reach before departing at 78/7 in 9.6 overs. Calm heads Eman Naseer (3* off 3) and Umm-e-Hani (2* off 2) held their ground in the final over to steer Pakistan home with 2 balls remaining.
Thailand’s bowling unit fought valiantly throughout the chase. Onnicha Kamchomphu stood out as the chief orchestrator with impressive figures of 3 for 37 in 3 overs. Sunida Chaturongrattana picked up 2 for 23 in 2 overs, while Suleeporn Laomi delivered an exceptionally tight spell of 1 for 3 in 2 overs. Phannita Maya supported well with 1 for 13 in 2 overs, while Thipatcha Putthawong went wicketless with 0/16 in 1.4 overs.
Loves all things female cricket