BANGLADESH A HOLD THEIR NERVE TO BEAT THAILAND WITH A BALL TO SPARE

BANGLADESH A HOLD THEIR NERVE TO BEAT THAILAND WITH A BALL TO SPARE

The fourth day of the DP World Asia Cup Rising Stars Women’s 2026 saw wins for the two A sides in Group B as Sri Lanka comprehensively defeated Malaysia by 106 runs in the morning match and Bangladesh just overcame Thailand by three wickets in an exciting last over finish.

The afternoon match was a low-scoring thriller as Thailand valiantly attempted to defend a low total of 103 for nine. The top-order batting so often a strength for Thailand never really got going as they had only reached 58 for 3 after 15 overs and a sub-par total seemed likely,

On this occasion the lower-order were able to galvanise the innings as Phannita Maya and Onnicha Kamchomphu found the boundary in cameos of 12 and 17 respectively. Wickets fell towards the end but the last five overs produced 45 runs as Thailand reached 103 for 9 in 20 overs.

Thailand’s bowling attack at least had a total they could defend as Phannita Maya produced a beauty in the third over to claim the first wicket and the dependable Thipatcha Putthawong followed with two wickets in the fourth over so Thailand were now definitely in with a chance.

Bangladesh also had to consolidate during the middle section of their innings so they still needed 32 runs from the last five overs with four wickets down. Only 12 runs came in the next three overs so 20 were needed from the last two overs that were to be bowled by the impressive Thipatcha and Phannita.

Thipatcha conceded a boundary but took her third wicket next ball and so 12 runs were still needed from the 20^th over. Farjana Easmin hit the two crucial blows as she hit a four and a six to level the scores. Phannita took her wicket from the fourth ball of the over so a super-over was still a possibility but a nudged single from the fifth ball brought Bangladesh to victory by three wickets.

Farjana Easmin was named player of the match for her crucial innings at the end of the match that took Bangladesh A through to the semi-finals but all is not lost for Thailand if they can beat Sri Lanka A on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka A played Malaysia in the morning match and they won the toss and chose to bat first. Their batters carried them to the impressive total they were looking for as Anushka Sanjeewani and Hansima Karunaratne laid a solid base in the first ten overs but it was player of the match Ama Kanchana who really caught the eye by reaching her half-century from 28 balls as she hit 6 fours and 2 sixes.

Sri Lanka A finished on 172 for 6 as Nur Dani Syuhada and Amalin Sorfina claimed two wickets each and it was a total likely to prove out of reach for Malaysia. Only Nazatul Hidayah and Nur Izzatul Syafiqa reached double figures as Malaysia finished on 66 for 8 against some tidy bowling with Sachini Nisansala taking 2 for 7 in her 4 overs.

Bangladesh A are top of group B with two wins while Sri Lanka A and Thailand both have a win apiece. The winners of their match on Wednesday will join Bangladesh A in the semi-finals.