Pakistan Beat Thailand by 35 Runs in Women’s T20 Asia Cup Opener
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — WEB DESK: Pakistan Women began their ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 campaign with a 35-run victory over Thailand in Dubai, recovering from early batting trouble before their spinners took control of the contest.
Pakistan, captained by Fatima Sana, posted 119 for nine in 20 overs after choosing to bat at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Thailand were then restricted to 84 for eight, giving Pakistan two points from their opening Group A match.
The victory was built around Muneeba Ali’s 54 and an impressive performance from Pakistan’s spin attack, led by Sadia Iqbal, who finished with three wickets for just 11 runs. Muneeba was named Player of the Match.
Pakistan Recover After Early Batting Collapse
Pakistan’s decision to bat first initially appeared to have backfired as Thailand made major early breakthroughs.
Shawaal Zulfiqar was dismissed for one and Gull Feroza fell without scoring as Thipatcha Putthawong struck twice early in the innings. Ayesha Zafar was then removed for nine, leaving Pakistan under pressure.
Muneeba and Sadaf Shamas led the recovery.
The pair put together a crucial 54-run fourth-wicket partnership, stabilising Pakistan after the early losses. Sadaf contributed 20 from 20 balls, including three boundaries.
Pakistan suffered another setback when Thailand struck twice in the 13th over, dismissing Sadaf and captain Fatima Sana, who was out for a duck.
Muneeba, however, continued to anchor the innings.
The left-handed opener completed her fourth T20 international half-century and eventually scored 54 from 52 deliveries, hitting four boundaries.
Late contributions from Umm-e-Hani and Tuba Hassan helped Pakistan reach 119-9.
Thailand’s bowlers produced an impressive performance despite the eventual defeat. Suleeporn Laomi took 3-14, while Putthawong returned 3-18. Phannita Maya claimed two wickets for 34 runs.
Sadia Iqbal Strikes Early
Defending a relatively modest target of 120, Pakistan needed early wickets — and Sadia delivered immediately.
The left-arm spinner took two wickets in a double-wicket maiden, reducing Thailand to six runs for two wickets in the second over.
Thailand struggled to build momentum against Pakistan’s spin attack from that point.
Nashra Sundhu removed Natthakan Chantham as Pakistan continued to squeeze Thailand’s scoring rate, while Tuba Hassan dismissed captain Naruemol Chaiwai for 17.
Thailand’s required run rate continued to climb as Pakistan’s spinners maintained tight control through the middle overs.
Pakistan Spinners Dominate Thailand
Sadia returned in the final over to claim her third wicket and completed an outstanding spell of 3-11 from four overs, including a maiden.
Tuba Hassan took 2-17 from four overs, while Nashra Sundhu was even more economical, conceding only six runs from her four overs while taking one wicket.
Chanida Sutthiruang was Thailand’s leading scorer with 25, but the chase never developed enough momentum to threaten Pakistan’s total.
Thailand eventually finished on 84-8 after 20 overs, leaving Pakistan winners by 35 runs.
Muneeba Named Player of the Match
Muneeba received the Player of the Match award for the innings that rescued Pakistan from a difficult position.
Her 54 represented almost half of Pakistan’s total and provided the foundation their bowlers needed to defend a relatively low score.
The innings was particularly important after Pakistan lost three wickets in the Powerplay and later suffered another double setback when Sadaf and Fatima were dismissed.
The bowling performance will encourage Pakistan, although the batting collapse highlighted areas requiring improvement before a significantly tougher second Group A fixture.
Pakistan Face India Next
Pakistan will next meet arch-rivals India Women on Saturday, September 5, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm Pakistan time, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Pakistan are competing in Group A alongside India, Thailand and Hong Kong, China.
The tournament runs from August 28 to September 13, with all matches being played in Dubai. The semi-finals are scheduled for September 10 and 11, followed by the final on September 13.
Pakistan’s best Women’s Asia Cup finishes came in 2012 and 2016, when they were runners-up. They reached the semi-finals in both the 2022 and 2024 editions.
The opening victory also carries some historical significance because Thailand famously defeated Pakistan in the 2022 Women’s Asia Cup, chasing 117 to secure a four-wicket upset.
This time, Pakistan avoided a repeat as Muneeba’s resilience with the bat and a disciplined spin attack delivered a comfortable start to their 2026 campaign.
