Asian Games: Pakistan Women survive Thailand scare in thriller, crawl into semis
Brief Scores: Pakistan (92/7 in 10.4 overs) beat Thailand (91/3 in 11 overs) by 3 wickets in the Asian Games women's cricket quarter-final match.
Pakistan Women survived a late scare from Thailand to seal a three-wicket win in a dramatic second quarter-final of the Asian Games women's cricket competition in Nisshin on Thursday. Chasing 92 in a rain-affected 11-over contest, Pakistan won with two balls to spare after Thailand had threatened to pull off a major upset.
The match was reduced to 11 overs per side after a delay caused by a wet outfield, leaving both teams with little room for error. Thailand made a brisk start with the ball before Pakistan's chase turned into a tense finish, but the Pakistanis held their nerve when it mattered.
The victory also continued a recent contest between the two sides. Thailand had faced Pakistan in the group stage of the Women's Asia Cup earlier this month, where Pakistan won by 35 runs after posting 119 for nine.KONCHAROENKAI ANCHORS THAILAND AFTER EARLY BLOW
Thailand were rocked early when Natthakan Chantham fell to Fatima Sana in the second over. Chantham struck a boundary before Fatima had her caught by Ayesha Zafar for six off five balls, leaving Thailand seven for one.
But Phannita Maya and Nannapat Koncharoenkai steadied the innings with a 65-run partnership for the second wicket. The pair absorbed the early pressure before accelerating through the middle overs, keeping Thailand on course for a competitive total.
Koncharoenkai, who had also impressed against India during the Women's Asia Cup, was particularly effective. She scored 49 off 38 balls, striking seven fours, and remained the backbone of Thailand's innings until the final stages. Her innings helped Thailand recover from the early loss and put Pakistan under pressure.
Maya eventually retired out for 15 off 16 balls, bringing the partnership to an end at 72 in the ninth over. Thailand captain Naruemol Chaiwai then provided a burst of power, smashing a six and a four off successive deliveries from Nashra Sandhu before falling for 10 off just three balls.
Fatima returned to remove Koncharoenkai lbw for 49 in the 11th over, finishing with two for 22. Thailand closed on 91 for four, with Chanida Sutthiruang unbeaten on three and Aphisara Suwanchonrathi on one.ZULFIQAR, FEROZA GIVE PAKISTAN FLYING START
Pakistan responded aggressively in the chase, with Gull Feroza and Shawaal Zulfiqar putting together 36 runs from just 3.5 overs for the opening wicket.
Zulfiqar led the charge, racing to 25 from 14 balls with three fours and a six. She attacked the bowlers from the outset and helped Pakistan move to 33 without loss after three overs, putting the chase firmly ahead of the required rate.
However, Thailand hit back quickly. Onnicha Kamchomphu dismissed Zulfiqar in the fourth over and then removed Aliya Riaz and Feroza in the space of four deliveries in the sixth over. Feroza made 16 from 13 balls, while Riaz managed four.
Suleeporn Laomi then struck again to remove Ayesha Zafar for one, leaving Pakistan at 39 for two before the middle order came under pressure.
Fatima Sana kept Pakistan in the hunt with a brisk 21 off 13 balls, including three fours and a six. But when she fell to Phannita Maya at 73 for four, Pakistan still needed 19 from 18 deliveries.KAMCHOMPU'S COSTLY OVER CHANGES THE MATCH
With Pakistan needing 44 runs from the final four overs, Thailand appeared to be in command. Kamchomphu, who had already taken three wickets, had been one of Thailand's most effective bowlers.
But the eighth over completely changed the contest.
Fatima Sana took the attack to Kamchomphu, hitting three fours and a six before Eyman Fatima finished the over with another six. The 25-run over transformed Pakistan's equation and suddenly brought the chase back under control. Kamchomphu ended with three for 37 from her three overs, but her final over proved decisive.
Pakistan still had work to do after Fatima was dismissed for 21. Eyman Fatima fell for seven, while Tuba Hassan then provided another burst of aggression against Sunida Chaturongrattana, hitting a four and a six in an innings of 13 from seven balls.
Tuba's dismissal left Pakistan needing four from the final over with three wickets in hand. Eman Naseer and Umm-e-Hani kept their composure, collecting four successive singles from the first four deliveries of the over to complete the chase with two balls to spare.
Pakistan's escape sent them into the semi-finals, while Thailand were left to reflect on another strong showing against a full-member opponent. Their bowling attack had again put Pakistan under sustained pressure, but the 25-run eighth over ultimately swung a thrilling contest Pakistan's way.Brief Scores
Thailand Women: 91/4 (11 overs) — Nannapat Koncharoenkai 49, Phannita Maya 15; Fatima Sana 2/22, Nashra Sandhu 1/19.
Pakistan Women: 92/7 (10.4 overs) — Shawaal Zulfiqar 25, Fatima Sana 21, Gull Feroza 16; Onnicha Kamchomphu 3/37, Sunida Chaturongrattana 2/23.
Result: Pakistan Women won by 3 wickets with 2 balls remaining.- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Sep 17, 2026 14:32 IST
