Sri Lanka A Women held their nerve in a gripping Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 encounter in Bangkok as they edged Thailand Women by 23 runs in a low scoring but competitive T20 clash. In a match defined by calculated partnerships, disciplined bowling, and timely breakthroughs, this Sri Lanka Women and Thailand A Women contest once again underlined the growing competitiveness in women’s T20 cricket.
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka A Women had an early jolt when Sanjana Kavindi’s promising start of 13 off 11 balls, which included two boundaries, was cut short by a sharp run-out at 17/1 in 2.2 overs. Captain Anushka Sanjeewani couldn’t convert her start either, managing 4 off 4 before she was caught by Sunida Chaturongrattana off Phannita Maya, leaving the score at 18/2 in 3.5 overs. The powerplay belonged largely to Thailand Women as they applied pressure with tight lines.
The innings found stability through a crucial 55-run partnership between Hasnima Karunaratne and Sachini Nisansala. While Nisansala made 7 off 10 before being dismissed at 29/3 in 6.5 overs (caught Chaturongrattana, bowled again by Maya), Karunaratne anchored the innings beautifully. Her composed 62* off 53 deliveries, laced with seven boundaries at a strike rate of 116.98, proved to be the backbone of Sri Lanka A’s total.
Ama Kanchana added impetus with a brisk 26 off 24 balls, striking five fours. The pair stitched together a vital 44-run stand for the fourth wicket before Kanchana was bowled by Natthakan Chantham at 73/4 in 13.2 overs. Shayani Senaratne contributed 10 off 13, but just as she looked set to accelerate, she fell to Phannita Maya at 119/5 in 18.1 overs. A late cameo from Shashini Gimhani, who remained unbeaten on 9 off 6 balls at a strike rate of 150, helped Sri Lanka A Women close their 20 overs at 133/5, a competitive total on surface offering assistance to bowlers.
For Thailand Women, Phannita Maya was the standout performer with figures of 4-0-19-2, maintaining an economy of 4.75. Sunida Chaturongrattana chipped in with 1/28 in her four overs, while Natthakan Chantham claimed 1/21 in two overs. Thipatcha Putthawong bowled economically as well, conceding just 20 in her four overs.
Chasing 134, Thailand Women began steadily. Aphisara Suwanchonrathi led the charge early with a fluent 24 off 26 balls, including four boundaries. However, she became the first wicket to fall at 50/1 in 8.1 overs, caught by Kavindi off Sachini Nisansala. The 50-run opening partnership had given Thailand a solid platform in their T20 run chase.
The innings faltered soon after. Nannapat Koncharoenkai was run out for 6 at 70/2 (11.2 overs), and in the very next over, captain Naruemol Chaiwai fell for a duck, caught and bowled by Sathya Sandeepani, reducing Thailand to 70/3. Chanida Sutthiruang added 6 before being trapped lbw by Nisansala at 87/4 in 14.4 overs.
Natthakan Chantham kept hopes alive with a fighting 57 off 49 balls, striking seven fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 116.32. Her innings was the cornerstone of Thailand’s chase. She shared small but important stands, but regular wickets stalled momentum. She fell at 95/5 in 15.6 overs, triggering a collapse. Sandeepani and Nisansala struck in tandem, Suleeporn Laomi was dismissed for 0 at 96/6 (16.3 overs), and Phannita Maya departed for 7 at 107/7 in 18.1 overs.
Two runouts in the death overs further dented the chase, with Nannaphat Chaihan (7 off 7) and Thipatcha Putthawong (0) falling as Thailand were bowled out for 110 in 19.2 overs. Sri Lanka A’s bowling unit was clinical. Sathya Sandeepani returned figures of 4-0-20-2, while Sachini Nisansala matched her with 4-0-23-2. Malsha Shehani was economical with 1/16 in four overs, and Ama Kanchana supported well with 1/19 in 3.2 overs.
In the end, Sri Lanka A Women’s 23-run victory over Thailand Women highlighted the importance of partnerships, middle-order stability, and tight death bowling, key ingredients in modern women’s T20 cricket.
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