Thursday was a euphoric day for Thailand, as their women’s national side were able to get the better of Pakistan in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Thailand notched up a four-wicket victory in an encouraging statement to fellow Associate members, which could signal a potential tectonic shift in cricket as the mission to have a more inclusive sport gradually comes into fruition.
Nevertheless, it was somewhat of a humiliation for the Pakistanis, who miserably failed to make a mark on the game. Their batting was lacklustre at best before a gritty Thai innings brought up a fantastic victory for the Associates.
Bismah Maroof won the toss and decided to bat first. Wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali made her way back into the pavilion after a brief stay in middle as Thailand struck in the fifth over. Sidra Ameen, Ali’s partner, was going well at the other end, playing some sweetly timed shots to the fence. The Pakistan innings never really got going, as the Thai bowlers kept it tight, not allowing a haemorrhage of runs. Maroof’s stay was cut short courtesy of some good work in the field by Phannita Maya, sending the southpaw back into the hut for just three runs.
Ameen was the lone warrior as the other batters just could not get going. Nida Dar played a wasteful innings, consuming 22 deliveries for a score of just 12. It was more of the same for the rest of the innings, as even Ameen could not get the big shots in towards the end of the innings, finishing on 56 in 64 deliveries, as Thailand were set a target of 117.
The Thai innings was not entirely different from their Pakistani counterparts, but the only and perhaps deciding distinction was the approach of opening batter Natthakan Chantham, who scored a match-winning 61 in 51 deliveries.
The 26-year-old ensured her presence for most of the innings, as she consistently managed to keep her side above the asking rate. She received little support from the other end, but made do with the resources at her disposal to take her side to a historic win, their first in the Asia Cup.
Chantham was awarded the player of the match for her excellent performance in an epochal moment for sport in her country.
Brief scores
Thailand women 117 for 6 (Chantham 61, Tuba 2-18, Dar 2-26) beat Pakistan women 116 for 5 (Ameen 56, Tippoch 2-20) by four wickets
