THAILAND REACH FINAL OF WOMEN’S T10 AND PLAY FOR GOLD TOMORROW   

THAILAND REACH FINAL OF WOMEN’S T10 AND PLAY FOR GOLD TOMORROW   

It was fast and furious action as Thailand needed less than an hour to reach the final of the women’s T10 competition by beating Malaysia by 51 runs after the first semi-final had been shortened to 6 overs aside by early morning rain at TCG.

Thailand were asked to bat first and were looking for a total over 60 but they reached 82 thanks to an unbeaten 42 from 17 balls from Natthakan Chantham and 31 from 16 balls from Nattaya Boochatham. Malaysia made 31 for 6 in reply so Thailand will be defending their T10 gold medal in tomorrow’s final.

Thailand will be facing Indonesia but only after Myanmar had looked to be in charge of the second semi-final for much of the contest. Indonesia only made 61 for 6 in 10 overs and the Myanmar openers easily took the score to 20 after 3 overs. The crucial wicket was the loss of Win Zar Li who has batted calmly throughout the tournament and five run outs followed as Myanmar started to panic. They were bowled out for 44 as Indonesia won by 17 runs.

The men’s T20 event has moved to AIT for the third round of matches and Thailand faced Singapore in the morning match. The hosts put up a great fight as Singapore made 156 for 8 in their innings with Kamron Senamontree returning figures of 3 for 24.

Thailand made a valiant effort to chase the target as the openers scored 42 in the first three overs. Ariya Sutthisan came to the crease at 47 for 2 and played a brilliant innings to take his team to the brink of victory.

Ariya reached his fifty from just 30 balls and continued to find the boundary until he was out in the final over for 73 from 50 balls with 7 fours and 4 sixes. Thailand finished on 152 for 9 to lose by 4 runs.

The afternoon match at AIT saw another fine performance by the improving Philippines side who beat Indonesia by 78 runs to gain their second win in two days.

Daniel Smith had bowled the crucial over to close out the match against Singapore yesterday but today he played an incredible innings with the bat as he reached fifty in 16 balls on his way to 65 from 23 balls with eight sixes.

Philippines reached their 100 inside 10 overs and built a final total of 182 for 5. Indonesia’s reply never got going as Jonathan Tuffin, Kepler Lukies and Henry Tyler all took 3 wickets and Indonesia were dismissed for 104. Philippines a level are now level with Malaysia on 4 points to move into medal contention.

Tomorrow will see the first cricket medals decided as Thailand look to defend the gold medal they won in the women’s T10 in Cambodia in 2023. The Thai girls will face Indonesia in the battle for gold after Malaysia take on Myanmar for bronze.