Thailand Women booked their place in the final of the Asian Games Women’s Qualifier 2026 with a 83-run win over China Women in the first semi-final at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur. A steady batting performance led by Nannapat Koncharoenkai and captain Naruemol Chaiwai gave Thailand a strong platform before Onnicha Kamchomphu’s brilliant 3/4 helped bowl China out for only 53.
Thailand began brightly through opener Natthakan Chantham, who hit four boundaries in a quick 19 from 13 balls. She looked fluent during the powerplay before Wang Huiying gave China their first breakthrough, removing her at the end of the third over with the score on 22.
China’s bowlers then managed to reduce the scoring rate after Thailand’s early burst. Aphisara Suwanchonrathi found it difficult to accelerate during her 18-ball innings and was eventually dismissed by Jiaping Li for nine, leaving Thailand at 40 for 2 in the eighth over.
At that stage, China had pulled the innings back well, but Thailand’s experienced pair of Koncharoenkai and Chaiwai prevented any further damage.
The two built a vital 74-run partnership for the third wicket, first rebuilding carefully before increasing the tempo later in the innings. Koncharoenkai held the stand together with a composed 46 from 46 balls, hitting three boundaries. She missed out on a half-century by four runs when she was caught off Jiaping Li in the 18th over, but her innings had already given Thailand a solid base.
Chaiwai provided excellent support from the other end. The Thailand captain rotated the strike smartly and punished loose balls during an unbeaten 40 from 36 deliveries. Although she struck only one boundary, her calm presence kept Thailand in control through the middle overs.
Chanida Sutthiruang added late momentum with an unbeaten 13 from 8 balls. Chaiwai and Sutthiruang put on 23 runs in the final 15 deliveries as Thailand finished on 137/3 from 20 overs.
Jiaping Li was China’s best bowler, taking 2/20 from three overs, while Wang Huiying returned 1/20. Mingyue Zhu also kept things tight, conceding only 17 runs in her four overs, but Thailand’s middle order ensured the innings remained on course.
China Collapse In The Chase
China’s hopes of chasing the target faded quickly once Thailand’s bowlers took control. The batters were unable to settle against a disciplined attack and came under pressure almost immediately.
Jiaping Li was trapped by Thipatcha Putthawong for 3 from 12 balls in the fourth over. Suleeporn Laomi then struck a major blow by dismissing Wei Haiting for 9 after a slow 24-ball stay.
Captain Mingyue Zhu tried to rebuild the innings but was bowled by Laomi for 8, leaving China in serious trouble at 29 for 3.
Kamchomphu then produced the decisive spell of the match. The off-spinner tore through the middle order, removing Gong Yuting for 7 from 14 balls, Wang Huiying for 2 from 3 balls and Cai Yuzhi for 2 from 12 balls. She finished with superb figures of 3/4 from four overs, including a maiden.
China’s innings fell apart completely as they slipped from 31 for 4 to 33 for 7. Ma Ruike and Chen Xinyu were both run out as Thailand’s fielders supported the bowlers with sharp work.
Sunida Chaturongrattana added 1/10 from 3.5 overs, while Laomi finished with 2/12 and Putthawong took 1/10. Feng Qian, unbeaten on seven, was the only batter to offer any resistance as China were bowled out for 53 with one ball left. Remarkably, no Chinese batter reached double figures.
Thailand outplayed China in every department and advanced to the final with confidence, driven by key contributions from Koncharoenkai, Chaiwai and Kamchomphu.
