Skipper Hayley Matthews led her side to their maiden victory in the ongoing edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifiers 2025, by defeating Ireland by 6 runs in their previous game. Scotland led by skipper Kathryn Bryce was up against Thailand led by skipper Naruemol Chaiwai in the 6th match of the tournament. Both teams were searching for their first win in the tournament.
Kathryn Bryce and Megan McColl’s fifties guide Scotland to a respectable total
Scotland skipper Kathryn Bryce won the toss and opted to bat first at the Lahore City Association Ground. A clinical bowling from Thailand reduced Scotland to 47/3 in the 11th over of the innings. Ailsa Lister joined skipper Kathryn Bryce at the crease and the duo led some sort of a recovery with a much-needed 67-run partnership for the 4th wicket to take their side closer to the 120-run mark.
Onnicha Kamchomphu broke the stand, sending Ailsa Lister (38 off 38 balls) back to the pavilion to provide the much-needed 4th breakthrough for Thailand. After her departure, Scotland kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bundled out for 206, with 9 overs to spare. Skipper Kathryn Bryce (60 off 58 balls) led from the front with the bat, with another half-century. Megan McColl (57 off 60 balls) was another half-centurion with the bat for Scotland. Abbi Aitken-Drummond (22 off 25 balls) chipped in with a crucial contribution with the bat for her side.
Onnicha Kamchomphu (10-0-34-3), and Thipatcha Putthawong (8-1-28-3) picked up three wickets each with the ball for Thailand, while Nattaya Boochatham (7-1-46-2) played a crucial supporting act with the ball for her side.
Natthakan Chantham’s half-century in vain as Thailand fell 58 runs short of the target
Chasing a target of 207, Thailand openers Nattaya Boochatham and Chanida Sutthiruang got their side off to a positive start with a 41-run opening partnership. Rachel Slater broke the stand, by sending Nattaya Boochatham (20 off 28 balls) back to the pavilion in the 9th over of the innings to provide the first breakthrough for Scotland.
Scotland bowlers capitalised on the opportunity and kept chipping away with wickets at regular intervals, not allowing the Thailand batters to settle into the run chase. The batters tried their best to keep Scotland bowlers at bay, but in vain as they were eventually bundled out for 148, in the 32nd over of the run chase. As a result, falling 58 runs short of the target.
Natthakan Chantham (63 off 58 balls) was the lone warrior with the bat for Thailand, scoring an impressive half-century. Chanida Sutthiruang (18 off 22 balls) was the only other batter to enter into the double digits. Rachel Slater (6-1-9-3) was exceptional with the ball, while Katherine Fraser (9.3-1-28-3), and Abtaha Maqsood (6-0-26-3) also picked up three wickets each leaving Thailand batters clueless in the run chase.
Kathryn Fraser clinched the Player of the Match award for her impressive spell with the ball, alongside Rachel Slater and Abtaha Maqsood, playing a crucial role as Scotland clinched their first victory of the tournament.
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