Papua New Guinea Women started their two-match T20I series against Thailand with a thrilling five-wicket win at Amini Park, Port Moresby, on August 10, 2026. Chasing 110, PNG finished on 110/5 in 20 overs, scoring the winning run from the final ball. The victory gave Papua New Guinea a 1-0 lead in the series after a close contest. Thailand had earlier scored 109/5 in their 20 overs after choosing to bat first.
Thailand got off to a steady start after captain Naruemol Chaiwai decided to bat first. Phannita Maya was their top scorer with 35 from 45 balls, including two fours and one six, while Nannapat Koncharoenkai made 30 from 28 balls. Aphisara Suwanchonrathi scored 14 from 21 balls, and Chanida Sutthiruang stayed unbeaten on 16 from 15 balls. Chaiwai made six, while Suleeporn Laomi scored two before being run out. Sunida Chaturongrattana finished unbeaten on two from one ball.
Papua New Guinea kept taking wickets at important stages and stopped Thailand from building a bigger total. Thailand eventually finished on 109/5 from their 20 overs, giving PNG a target of 110. Isabel Toua was the main reason for Thailand’s struggles, taking three wickets for just 13 runs in her four overs. Henao Thomas took one wicket for 25 runs, while Sibona Jimmy gave away 18 runs in four overs. Hane Tau conceded 15 runs from three overs, and Pauke Siaka gave away 18 runs from three overs.
PNG started their chase well, with Konio Oala taking the attack to the Thailand bowlers. Oala scored 26 from just 18 balls, hitting one four and three sixes to give the home side a quick start. Hollan Doriga added 13 from 14 balls, but PNG soon lost three wickets and slipped to 42/3. Sibona Jimmy was dismissed for two, while Doriga and Oala also fell in the early part of the chase. The wickets brought Thailand back into the match and put pressure on the home side.
Captain Brenda Tau and Tanya Ruma then worked to steady the innings and keep PNG close to the target. Tau made 17 from 31 balls, while Ruma scored 18 from 33 balls as the pair helped their team recover. Thailand continued to bowl tightly and removed Tau at 79/4. Ruma was then dismissed at 100/5 in the 19th over, leaving PNG needing 10 runs from nine balls. With the game going down to the final over, both teams still had a real chance of winning the match.
Pauke Siaka then delivered the finish PNG needed, scoring an unbeaten 25 from 15 balls with three fours. Naoani Vare remained not out on zero as PNG reached 110/5 in 20 overs and completed the chase on the final ball. For Thailand, Onnicha Kamchomphu took one wicket for 11 runs from four overs, while Thipatcha Putthawong and Sunida Chaturongrattana also took one wicket each. Chayanisa Phengpaen bowled two overs for nine runs, but Thailand could not stop PNG from crossing the line.
The win put Papua New Guinea 1-0 ahead in the two-match series, with Isabel Toua named Player of the Match for her excellent three-wicket spell. Thailand now needs to win the second T20I to level the series, while PNG will have the chance to seal the series with another victory. The opening match showed how close the two teams were, with Thailand defending a modest total well for most of the chase. PNG, however, stayed calm when it mattered most and found the final run on the last ball.
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