Pakistan Women booked their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Asian Games with a three-wicket win in a tense rain-shortened quarter-final clash with Thailand Women. Chasing a revised target of 92 in 11 overs, Pakistan reached 92/7 with four balls to spare after captain Fatima Sana produced a decisive late assault.
The match at the Asian Games was delayed by nearly two hours because of a wet outfield before being reduced to 11 overs per side. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and elected to bowl.
Thailand made a positive start despite losing experienced opener Natthakan Chantham early to Sana. Wicketkeeper-batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai anchored the innings with an impressive 49 off 38 balls, striking regular boundaries as she combined with captain Naruemol Chaiwai to keep the scoreboard moving.
Koncharoenkai accelerated after the halfway stage, including consecutive boundaries off Umm-e-Hani, before falling just one run short of a half-century when Sana trapped her lbw with a full delivery in the final over. Thailand finished on 91/4 from their 11 overs, setting Pakistan a challenging target.
Fatima Sana led Pakistan’s bowling attack with figures of 2/22, while Thailand’s batters capitalised on the shortened format to post a competitive total.
Pakistan began the chase confidently as Shawaal Zulfiqar attacked from the outset, hitting three fours and a six during her 25-run innings. However, Thailand fought back brilliantly through off-spinner Onnicha Kamchomphu, who dismissed Zulfiqar, Gull Feroza and Aliya Riaz to leave Pakistan struggling at 47/4.
With 44 runs required from the final four overs, Pakistan’s hopes rested on skipper Fatima Sana. She changed the course of the match in spectacular fashion during the eighth over, smashing two fours and a six before surviving a dropped catch that also resulted in a boundary. Eyman Fatima joined the attack by finishing the over with another six as Pakistan collected 25 runs from the over.
Thailand refused to surrender. Sana was dismissed at the start of the next over, while Eyman Fatima also departed soon after, leaving Pakistan needing 15 from the final 10 deliveries.
Tuba Hassan responded with a six and a four from consecutive balls to ease the pressure before being caught near the boundary. Eman Naseer and Umm-e-Hani then kept their composure, collecting four straightforward singles to guide Pakistan to 92/7 and complete a dramatic three-wicket victory.
Thailand’s bowlers pushed Pakistan all the way, with Onnicha Kamchomphu leading the attack with outstanding figures of 3/37, while Thipatcha Putthawong Chaturongrattana claimed 2/23.
The victory sends Pakistan into the Women’s Asian Games semi-finals, where they will face the winner of the quarter-final between Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
