Asian Games: Pakistan Women survive fear of Thailand in thriller, reach semi-finals

Brief Results: Pakistan (92/7 in 10.4 overs) beat Thailand (91/3 in 11 overs) by 3 wickets in the women’s cricket quarter-final match at the Asian Games.

Highlights | Scorecard

Pakistan Women survived a late scare from Thailand to claim a three-wicket win in a dramatic second quarter-final of the Asian Games cricket competition in Nisshin on Thursday. Chasing 92 in a rain-affected 11-over contest, Pakistan won with two balls to spare after Thailand threatened to cause a major upset.

The match has been reduced to 11 overs per side after a delay caused by a wet pitch, so both teams have little room for error. Thailand started briskly with the ball before Pakistan’s chase turned into a tight finish, but the Pakistanis held their nerve when it mattered.

The win also continued the recent rivalry between the two sides. Thailand 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 A QUICK IMPACT

Thailand were rocked early when Natthakan Chantham fell to Fatima Sana in the second over. Chantham hit 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 leveled the innings with a 65-run partnership for the second wicket. The pair absorbed the early pressure before accelerating through the middle turns and keeping Thailand on course for a competitive total.

Koncharoenkai, who also impressed against India during the Women’s Asia Cupwas particularly effective. She scored 49 off 38 balls, hitting seven fours and remained the backbone of the Thai innings till the closing stages. Her innings helped Thailand recover from an early loss and put Pakistan under pressure.

Maya eventually departed for 15 off 16 balls, ending the partnership at 72 in the ninth over. Thailand captain Naruemol Chaiwai then provided a burst of power, smashing sixes and fours off consecutive deliveries from Nashra Sandhu before falling for 10 off just three balls.

Fatima came back to remove Koncharoenkai lbw for 49 in the 11th over to finish 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 A AIR START

Pakistan responded aggressively in the chase as Gull Feroza and Shawaal Zulfiqar put on 36 runs in just 3.5 overs for the opening wicket.

Zulfiqar led the charge, racing to 25 off 14 balls with three fours and a six. She attacked the bowlers from the start and helped Pakistan move to 33 for no loss after three overs, keeping the chase firmly ahead of the required pace.

However, Thailand quickly hit back. Onnicha Kamchomphu dismissed Zulfiqar in the fourth over and then removed Aliyu Riaz and Feroza in the space of four deliveries in the sixth over. Feroza made 16 off 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 he fell to Phannito Maya at 73 for four, Pakistan still needed 19 off 18 deliveries.

TRUCK OVER KAMCHOMPA CHANGERS THE MATCH

With Pakistan needing 44 runs from the last four overs, Thailand appeared to be in command. Kamchomphu, who has already taken three wickets, has been one of Thailand’s most efficient bowlers.

But the eighth match completely changed the competition.

Fatima Sana attacked Kamchomphu and hit three fours and a six before Eyman Fatima finished the over with another six. 25 runs changed Pakistan’s equation and suddenly brought the chase back under control. Kamchomphu finished with three for 37 from her three overs, but her last 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 Sunid Chaturongrattan, hitting a four and a six in the innings on 13 off seven balls.

After Tuba’s dismissal, Pakistan needed four from the final with three wickets in hand. Eman Naseer and Umm-e-Hani kept their cool and collected four consecutive singles from the first four deliveries of the over to complete the chase with two balls to spare.

Pakistan’s run sent them into the semi-finals, while Thailand had no choice but to reflect on another strong showing against full-strength opposition. Their bowling attack once again put Pakistan under sustained pressure, but a 25-run eighth over eventually swung a thrilling match Pakistan’s way.

A brief score

Thailand women: 91/4 (11 overs) — Nannapat Koncharoenkai 49, Phannita Maya 15; Fatima Sana 22/22, Nashra Sandhu 1/19.

Pakistani women: 92/7 (10.4 overs) — Shawaal Zulfiqar 25, Fatima Sana 21, Seagull Feroza 16; Onnicha Kamchomphu 3/37, Sunida Chaturongrattana 2/23.

Result: Pakistan Women won by 3 wickets with 2 balls to spare.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

17 Sep 2026 14:32 IST