SYLHET: Pakistan were stunned by minnows Thailand to be defeated for the first time in the ongoing Women’s T20 Asia Cup on Thursday.

Thailand chased down the 117-run target with a ball and four wickets to spare at the Sylhet Cricket Stadium in Bangladesh after needing 16 runs from two overs.

After Nida Dar conceded only six in the 19th over — which saw Thailand’s top-scorer Natthakan Chantham (61 off 51) getting dismissed — Rosenan Kanoh struck pacer Diana Baig for the remaining 10 runs with a help of a boundary on the second ball of the final over to take Thailand over the line.

Nida and spinner Tuba Hasan bagged two wickets apiece for Pakistan, while Nashra Sandhu and Kainat Imtiaz took a wicket each.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan opener Sidra Amin continued her fine form in the tournament, hitting a 64-ball 56, which included six boundaries. Pakistan accumulated 116-5 in their 20 overs on a slow track.

The Bismah Maroof-led side had come into the match against Thailand after wins against Malaysia and Bangladesh in their opening two fixtures.

Pakistan play arch-rivals India on Friday.

Scores in brief:

Thailand beat Pakistan by four wickets

PAKISTAN 116-5 in 20 overs (Sidra Amin 56; Sornnarin Tippoch 2-20); THAILAND 117-6 in 19.5 overs (Natthakan Chantham 61; Nida Dar 2-26, Tuba Hasan 2-18).

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2022