Pakistan women secured a place in the Asian Games semi-finals after beating Thailand by three wickets. The quarter-final took place in Nisshin on Thursday. Pakistan chased the target with two balls remaining. The match was reduced to 11 overs per side because of rain. Thailand batted first after being sent in. They scored 91 runs for four wickets in their 11 overs. Nannapat Koncharoenkai led Thailand’s batting effort. She scored 49 runs from 38 balls. Her innings helped Thailand post a competitive total in the shortened match. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana played an important role with the ball. She took two wickets for 22 runs from three overs. Nashra Sandhu also claimed one wicket for 19 runs.
Pakistan started the chase positively. The team reached 50 runs after 7.1 overs. However, Thailand responded with regular wickets and put pressure on Pakistan. Shawaal Zulfiqar provided Pakistan with valuable runs during the chase. She scored 25 runs from only 14 balls. Her innings included three fours and a six. Fatima Sana also contributed with the bat. She made 21 runs from 13 deliveries. Her innings included three fours and a six.
Tuba Hassan then added a quick 13 runs from seven balls. Her dismissal left Pakistan at 88 for seven. Thailand was close to forcing a tense finish. Pakistan still needed four runs at that stage.
Eman Naseer and Umm-e-Hani remained at the crease. The pair held their nerve during the final moments. They scored the required four runs as Pakistan reached 92 for seven. The chase ended after 10.4 overs.
Pakistan therefore won the quarter-final by three wickets. Thailand’s bowlers also created problems for Pakistan. Onnicha Kamchomphu was their leading wicket-taker. She finished with three wickets for 37 runs from three overs. Sunida Chaturongrattana also took two wickets for Thailand.
Their efforts kept the match close until the final overs. The result means Pakistan down Thailand to reach Asian Games semis after a closely fought quarter-final. Pakistan’s players recovered from a late collapse to complete the chase. The rain also affected another quarter-final at the Asian Games. Bangladesh advanced to the semi-finals after its match against China was washed out.
The China-Bangladesh game was delayed because of a wet outfield. It was later abandoned because of the weather. Bangladesh consequently moved into the last four. Pakistan’s victory now puts the women’s cricket team into the Asian Games semi-finals. The team will look to build on its quarter-final performance in the next stage.
Result also came after a match that tested Pakistan’s batting depth. The team managed the pressure and completed the chase before the final two balls.
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