The United Arab Emirates and Thailand will go head-to-head in the final of the ongoing 2023 edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier. The match is scheduled to take place on the 9th of September, 2023, at 7:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST), at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur.
Squads:
United Arab Emirates – Chaya Mughal (C), Esha Oza (VC), Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Siya Gokhale, Al Maseera Jahangir, Lavanya Keny, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Indhuja Nandakumar, Avanee Patil, Rinitha Rajith, Theertha Satish (WK), Khushi Sharma
Thailand – Naruemol Chaiwai (C), Natthakan Chantam, Nattaya Boochatham, Nanthita Boonsukham, Kanyakorn Bunthansen, Sunida Chaturongrattana, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Rosenanee Kanoh, Suwanan Khiaoto (WK), Nannapat Koncharoenkai (WK), Phannita Maya, Thipatcha Putthawong, Chanida Sutthiruang, Sornnarin Tippoch
Players to watch out:
Esha Oza
The 25-year-old all-rounder, in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), has accumulated 1539 runs in 59 innings, with the highest score of 158*, and has taken 46 wickets in 45 outings. Capitalizing on the starts from early in the tournament (14*, 19, and 31), Esha smashed an unbeaten 78* against Bahrain and followed it up with yet another significant score, a blazing 85 against Hong Kong in the Semi-Final.
Vaishnave Mahesh
The 16-year-old leg-spinner, in T20Is, has taken 57 wickets in 45 outings and contributed 82 runs from 18 outings. Vaishnave has had a brilliant campaign so far, bagging as many as 12 wickets, with a best of a four-fer, in just 5 games. Vaishnave’s bowling figures in the tournament are impressive, with 3/7 (3.4 vs. Bhutan), 2/12 (3 vs. Malaysia), 2/22 (4 vs. Qatar), 4/10 (4 vs. Bahrain), and 1/16 (4 vs. Hong Kong).
Chanida Sutthiruang
The 22-year-old keeper-batter, in T20Is, has accumulated 658 runs in 58 innings and taken 58 wickets, including respective bests of 46* and 5/4. With openers scoring the majority of runs, Chanida hasn’t had many opportunities to contribute. However, she has returned unbeaten twice in 3 games, finishing on scores of 16 and 11, and has also made contributions with the ball.
Thipatcha Putthawong
The 19-year-old left-arm spinner has taken 51 wickets in 37 outings at an economy rate of 4.07, with her best figures being 5/8. Thipatcha has had a good run in the competition and has maintained consistency with the ball, recording bowling figures of 2/3 (4 vs. Myanmar), 2/16 (3 vs. China), 0/2 (1.5 vs. Kuwait), 0/15 (4 vs. Hong Kong), and 3/5 (3.3 vs. Nepal).
Pitch:
The Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur, dishes a fairly balanced center wicket that offers runs for batters and a good amount of assistance to bowlers as well. The average score at the venue is in the 120s, and spinners have the upper hand on the track.
Weather:
With thundershowers expected during the match hours, there is a possibility of the game being abandoned if the skies do not clear. The temperature is forecasted to be around 26°C, with light winds and a humidity level of 80%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Nannapat Koncharoenkai, Natthakan Chantam, Kavisha Egodage, Nattaya Boochatham, Esha Oza, Chaya Mughal, Phannita Maya, Vaishnave Mahesh, Thipatcha Putthawong, Sunida Chaturongrattana, Suraksha Kotte
Match details:
Date – September 9, 2023
Time – 7:00 AM IST
Venue – Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur
Broadcast – All games of the tournament will be live-streamed on ICC.TV and the FanCode app and website.