Half-century from Natthakan Chantham helped Thailand women pick up a stunning four wickets upset victory over Pakistan in their Asia Cup match at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
With this win, Thailand has climbed to the fifth position in the Asia Cup points table, with two points from three matches, while Pakistan is in the second position with four points in three matches.
In the first innings, Pakistan posted 116/5 in 20 overs. Sidra Ameen scored a brilliant half-century, scoring 56 off 64 balls. Sornnarin Tippoch took 2/20 in her quota of four overs. Other bowlers also bowled economical spells putting brakes on Pakistan’s run flow. The target of 117 was chased down by Thailand with four wickets in hand, thanks to 61 by Chantham.
Chasing 117, wicketkeeper-batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai and Chantham gave a solid start to Thailand, amassing 40 runs for the first wicket. However, twin strikes from spinner (2/18) sent back Koncharoenkai (13) and Chanida Sutthiruang (0), reducing Thailand to 40/2.
Then, captain Naruemol Chaiwai joined Chantham to take the chase forward. The duo kept the scoreboard ticking for a while. Medium pacer Kainat Imtiaz broke the 42-run stand between the duo by sending back Chaiwai for 17 off 23 balls. Thailand was at 82/3. At this point, Thailand needed 35 runs in 27 balls.
Following this, Chantham brought up her half-century and kept braving the fall of wickets from the other side. She fell to spinner Nida Dar for 61 off 51 balls. Thailand was 105/6 in 18.4 overs, needing 12 runs in eight balls.
Nattaya Boochatham (3) and Rosenan Kanoh (9) took Thailand across the finishing line, with a ball to spare and four wickets in hand and help her side to register their victory over Pakistan. Tuba Hassan (2/18), Nida Dar (2/26) were the standout bowlers for Pakistan.