Asia Cup T20, Match no 11 – Nepal vs Thailand.
The battle of the minnows. The babies in the field of International Cricket. The match sure sounds interesting, as this was the best opportunity for both to win their 1st match.
Nepal won the toss and decided to bat first.
Nepal started off well, making slow but steady progress, and put an opening stand of 30 runs. But once Nepal Women lost their 1st wicket that of Jyoti Pandey on 16 off 27 balls in 7.2 overs, put an absolute pause to the scoring of Nepal Women as the next 35 balls Nepal lost 4 more wickets for just 8 runs. Nepal was languishing at 38 for 5 in 13.1 overs.
With half the side already in the hut, Nepal captain Rubina Belbashi was on the pitch along with Nary Thapa and together contributed 14 runs.
But once Nary Thapa fell on a total of 52, Nepal again lost 4 more wickets for just 11 runs. Nepal ended their innings at a meagre 63 all out in 19.5 overs, which included 11 extras.
Thailand with the home advantage and the Moral victory of playing all the 20 over’s against Sri Lanka, Won the match in 16 over’s losing just 2 wickets.
Openers Nattakan Chantam and Sirintra Saengsakaorat put an opening stand of 46. Sarita Magar in the 12th over picked the 1st Thai wicket of Nattakan for 24 off 41 (2×4), and later her 2nd wicket in the 16th over of Nattaya Boochatham on 4 off 8 balls. But by then Thailand Women were already on 61.
Next in was the Thailand captain Sornnarin Tippoch, who finished the match with a boundary.
Thailand Opener Sirintra Saengsakaorat remained not out with 27 off 45 (1×4) and was awarded Player of the match!
