Pakistan chased down Thailand’s 91-run target with two balls to spare in a rain-affected quarter-final in Japan.
Web Desk: Pakistan women secured a place in the Asian Games cricket semi-finals after defeating Thailand by three wickets in a rain-affected quarter-final at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi, Japan.
The match was reduced to 11 overs per side after rain delayed the start. Pakistan, after winning the toss, opted to bowl first and restricted Thailand to 91 for four.
Pakistan then reached the revised target of 92 with two balls remaining, finishing on 92 for seven in 10.4 overs.
Thailand Post 91 in Rain-Shortened Innings
Thailand made 91 for four from their allotted 11 overs, with wicketkeeper-batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai leading the scoring.
Koncharoenkai made 49 from 38 deliveries, including seven boundaries. Phannita Maya contributed 15 before being retired out, while captain Naruemol Chaiwai added a quick 10 from three balls.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana was the leading bowler, taking two wickets for 22 runs from her three overs. Nashra Sandhu also claimed one wicket.
Pakistan Face Mid-Innings Collapse
Pakistan began the chase positively, with Shawaal Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza putting together a 36-run opening partnership.
Zulfiqar top-scored with 25 from 14 balls, hitting three fours and a six. Feroza added 16 from 13 deliveries.
Thailand then fought back strongly, taking four Pakistan wickets for 11 runs as Pakistan slipped to 47 for four.
Captain Fatima Sana steadied the innings with 21 from 13 balls, including three fours and a six. Her contribution helped Pakistan regain momentum during the chase.
Tuba Hassan Helps Seal Victory
Pakistan still needed 16 runs from the final two overs after losing several wickets.
Tuba Hassan produced an important late contribution, scoring 13 from seven balls with a four and a six. She reduced the equation to four runs from the final over before Umm-e-Hani and Eman Naseer completed the chase.
Pakistan reached 92 for seven in 10.4 overs, winning with two deliveries remaining.
Pakistan Advance to Semi-Finals
The victory puts Pakistan into the women’s cricket semi-finals at the 2026 Asian Games.
According to the PCB, both semi-finals are scheduled for September 20 at the same venue in Aichi Prefecture. The bronze-medal and gold-medal matches are scheduled for September 22.
Pakistan’s progression follows a tense quarter-final in which Thailand pushed the tournament favourites deep into the chase before Pakistan completed the required 92-run target.
