Pakistan Survive Thailand Scare to Reach Asian Games Semi-Finals

Two-time Asian Games gold medallists Pakistan survived a major scare from Thailand to book their place in the women’s cricket semi-finals with a tense three-wicket victory in a rain-reduced quarter-final on Thursday.

Chasing a revised target of 92 runs from 11 overs, Pakistan endured a dramatic middle-order collapse before captain Fatima Sana produced a match-changing assault to swing the contest in her side’s favour.

Pakistan will now face Bangladesh in the semi-final on September 20.

The match was delayed by nearly two hours because of a wet outfield. After the toss, Pakistan elected to bowl, but Thailand made the most of the shortened contest.

Thailand reached 20 for 1 during the reduced powerplay, with Fatima Sana dismissing experienced opener Natthakan Chantham. Nannapat Koncharoenkai then took charge of the innings, attacking the Pakistan bowlers around the ground.

Koncharoenkai accelerated after the sixth over, hitting consecutive boundaries off Umm-e-Hani in a 14-run over. Thailand captain Naruemol Chaiwai also contributed with attacking strokes as the pair put Pakistan under pressure.

Koncharoenkai moved towards a half-century but was dismissed for 49 from 38 balls in the final over when she missed a full delivery from Sana and was trapped lbw. Thailand finished with a competitive total of 91.

Pakistan began the chase strongly, with Shawaal Zulfiqar hitting three fours and a six inside the first three overs. However, Thailand quickly turned the match around by claiming four wickets for just 11 runs in 14 balls.

Zulfiqar was caught and bowled by offspinner Onnicha Kamchomphu, while Ayesha Zafar departed for 1. Gull Feroza was then stumped for 16 after advancing down the track against Kamchomphu, before Aliya Riaz was also dismissed by the same bowler.

Pakistan were reduced to 47 for 4, needing 45 runs from 30 balls, leaving Thailand firmly in contention.

Fatima Sana then changed the momentum in the eighth over. With Pakistan requiring 44 from 24 deliveries, the captain smashed three consecutive boundaries — two fours and a six — before another misfield at long-off resulted in a boundary. Eyman Fatima followed with a six to cap a 25-run over, reducing Pakistan’s requirement to 19 from 18 balls.

Despite losing Sana at the start of the next over, Pakistan remained within reach. Eyman Fatima was dismissed in the 10th over with Pakistan still needing 15 from 10 deliveries.

Tuba Hassan then produced another crucial burst, striking a six and a four from consecutive balls to leave Pakistan needing only four runs from seven deliveries.

Hassan was caught at fine leg off the final ball of the 10th over, but Eman Naseer and Umm-e-Hani kept their composure, collecting four singles from the next four deliveries to complete a dramatic three-wicket victory.

The result sends Pakistan into the semi-finals, where they will meet Bangladesh on September 20, with a place in the Asian Games final at stake.