Pakistan Women Survive Thailand Scare To Reach Asian Games 2026 Semi-Finals

Pakistan’s women’s cricket team survived a major scare against Thailand to book their place in the semi-finals of the Asian Games on Thursday.

In a rain-affected second quarter-final in Nisshin, Pakistan chased down 92 runs in 11 overs with just two balls remaining. Thailand came close to pulling off a major upset, but Pakistan held their nerve in the final over to win by three wickets.

The two teams had also met earlier this month during the Women’s Asia Cup. Pakistan won that group-stage match by 35 runs after scoring 119 for nine.

How did Thailand recover after losing an early wicket?

Thailand were asked to bat first and lost Nattakan Chantham early. She hit a boundary before Fatima Sana dismissed her in the second over, with Ayesha Zafar taking the catch.

Thailand were 7 for 1 at that stage, but Phannita Maya and Nannapat Koncharoenkai quickly turned things around. The pair put together a strong partnership and kept the scoreboard moving despite the pressure of the short innings.

Koncharoenkai played the key innings for Thailand, scoring 49 off 38 balls with seven fours. She stayed at the crease until the final stages and gave Thailand hope of posting a challenging total.

Maya was eventually retired out for 15 off 16 balls in the ninth over, ending a 72-run partnership.

Thailand captain Naruemol Chaiwai then added a quick 10 from just three balls, hitting a four and a six off consecutive deliveries from Nashra Sandhu. However, her cameo ended soon after.

Fatima Sana returned to dismiss Koncharoenkai LBW for 49 in the 11th over. She finished with two wickets for 22 runs.

Thailand ended their innings on 91 for four, with Chanida Sutthiruang and Aphisara Suwanchonrathi unbeaten.

Did Pakistan get off to a good start?

Pakistan came out attacking in the chase, with Gul Firoza and Shawaal Zulfiqar adding 36 runs in just 3.5 overs.

Zulfiqar was particularly aggressive, scoring 25 from 14 balls, including three fours and a six.

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Thailand, however, hit back quickly. Onnicha Kamchomphu removed Zulfiqar in the fourth over before dismissing Aliya Riaz and Firoza in the sixth.

Firoza made 16 off 13 balls, while Riaz scored four. Suleeporn Laomi then dismissed Ayesha Zafar for one, leaving Pakistan under pressure.

How did Fatima Sana bring Pakistan back into the game?

With wickets falling regularly, Fatima Sana took responsibility in the middle order.

She scored a quick 21 from 13 balls and kept Pakistan within touching distance of the target. However, Phannita Maya eventually dismissed her with Pakistan on 73.

At that point, Pakistan needed 19 runs from 18 balls, leaving Thailand with a genuine chance of causing an upset.

How did one over change the match?

Thailand appeared to have the upper hand when Pakistan needed 44 runs from the final four overs.

Kamchomphu had already taken three wickets and had been Thailand’s most effective bowler. But her final over changed the game completely.

Fatima Sana attacked her bowling, hitting three fours and a six. Eyman Fatima then finished the over with another six.

Pakistan scored 25 runs from the over, suddenly turning the match in their favour.

Kamchomphu still finished with three wickets for 37 runs from her three overs, but that expensive over proved costly for Thailand.

How did Pakistan seal the win?

Pakistan still had work to do after Fatima Sana was dismissed for 21.

Eyman Fatima was also sent back for seven, while Tuba Hassan provided another late burst. She scored 13 off seven balls, including a four and a six, before being dismissed.

Pakistan needed four runs from the final over with three wickets in hand.

Eiman Naseer and Umm-e-Hani kept their cool and ran four singles from the first four balls. Those runs were enough to take Pakistan over the line, with two balls still left in the innings. Pakistan won by three wickets and advanced to the Asian Games semi-finals