Pakistan survive Thailand scare to reach Asian Games 2026 semi-finals

Pakistan registered a three-wicket win with two balls to spare over Thailand in a hard-fought second quarter-final of the Asian Games women’s cricket competition on Thursday at the Korogi Athletic Park.

How did Pakistan beat Thailand in the Asian Games quarter-final?

Pakistan chased down Thailand’s 92-run target in 10.4 overs after rain reduced the quarter-final to an 11-over contest. Shawaal Zulfiqar, Fatima Sana and Tuba Hassan made important contributions during a tense chase that saw Pakistan lose seven wickets.

Thailand had earlier scored 91 for four after Pakistan opted to bowl first. Nannapat Koncharoenkai top-scored with 49 from 38 balls, while Fatima Sana took two wickets for 22 runs in her three overs.

Who top-scored for Thailand against Pakistan?

Thailand’s no.3 batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai led her side’s scoring with a 38-ball 49, hitting seven fours. She survived until the final over before Fatima Sana dismissed her leg-before, denying her a half-century.

Fatima had struck on the second ball of her opening over, which was the second over of the innings, to remove Natthakan Chantham for six.

Koncharoenkai then stitched together a 65-run second-wicket partnership with Phannita Maya, who scored 15 from 16 balls with one four. The partnership ended when Thailand called Maya back as a tactical move.

Captain Naruemol Chaiwai added 10 from three balls, hitting one six and one four, as Thailand finished on 91 for four from their 11 overs.

How did Pakistan chase Thailand’s target?

Pakistan made a fast start through openers Shawaal Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza, who put together 36 runs in 3.5 overs. Shawaal was the main aggressor, scoring 25 from 14 balls with three fours and a six, while Feroza made 16 from 13 balls.

Thailand then fought back by taking four wickets for 11 runs from 13 deliveries. Pakistan reached the end of the powerplay at 47 for four, leaving the chase in a difficult position.

Fatima Sana, batting at No.4 for only the second time in her T20I career, provided momentum with a 13-ball 21. She hit three fours and a six before being dismissed.

How did Pakistan finish the chase against Thailand?

Fatima Sana hit all four of her boundaries in the first four balls of the eighth over against Onnicha Kamchomphu. Eyman Fatima then finished the over with a six as Pakistan collected 25 runs from six balls.

With Pakistan needing 19 runs from 18 balls, Thailand responded again by removing Fatima in the ninth over, followed by Eyman Fatima and Tuba Hassan in the 10th.

Tuba, however, scored 13 from seven balls, including a six and a four in the penultimate over. Her contribution reduced the requirement from 16 runs off 12 balls to four from the final six.

Umm-e-Hani and Eman Naseer then took four singles from four balls, with Umm-e-Hani scoring the winning run to complete Pakistan’s three-wicket victory.

When will Pakistan play their Asian Games semi-final?

Pakistan have advanced to the semi-finals of the Asian Games women’s cricket competition following their win over Thailand. The two semi-finals will be played on Sunday, 20 September, at the same venue, Korogi Athletic Park.