CHAMPIONS THAILAND MAKE IT FOUR WINS OUT OF FOUR

THAILAND WIN ASIAN GAMES WOMEN’S QUALIFIER WITH EMPHATIC VICTORY OVER MALAYSIA

Thailand Women made it four wins out of four in the Asian Games Women’s Qualifier in Kuala Lumpur as they outplayed hosts Malaysia in the final by dismissing them for 54 and reaching their target for the loss of only one wicket.

Thailand will head to Japan in September to compete in the Asian Games Women’s cricket event alongside runners-up Malaysia and China who beat Nepal in the third-place play-off. In the course of the tournament Thailand had shown once more that they are the leading women’s Associate team in Asia.

THAILAND WOMEN START QUALIFIER WITH IMPRESSIVE WIN

Thailand defeated Hong Kong, China by 89 runs at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur to start the Asian Games Qualifier with a bang.

Thailand made 170 for 1 in their 20 overs thanks to a superb second-wicket partnership of 157* between Natthakan Chantham and Nannapat Khoncharoenkai.

Natthakan made her second highest score in T20Is as she hit 98* from 65 balls with 13 fours while Nannapat made 51* from 55 balls with a single boundary.

Hong Kong, China were restricted to 81 for 7 as Thailand’s five bowlers all bowled tidily with Sunida and Onnicha each taking 2 for 11.

THAILAND REACH THE SEMI-FINALS BY BEATING MALAYSIA

Thailand Women were one win away from qualifying for the Asian Games after they topped Group A with a seven-wicket victory over Malaysia.

Phannita Maya took 4 for 14 to restrict the hosts to 82 for 7 in their 20 overs and Thailand eased to a comfortable victory with 7.3 overs to spare to gain their second win in two days.

THAILAND QUALIFY FOR THE ASIAN GAMES WITH SEMI-FINAL WIN

Thailand confirmed they would be taking part in the Asian Games Women’s Cricket for the fourth time as they beat China by 84 runs. Three places are available for teams in this competition and Thailand were the first team to qualify.

Another impressive batting performance saw Thailand reach 137 for 3 as Nannapat Khoncharoenkai made 46 from 46 balls and Naruemol Chaiwai 40 from 36. China were bowled out for 53 as Onnicha Kamchomphu produced figures of 3 for 4 as she bowled 21 dot balls.

Thailand were now heading to the Asian Games in Japan in September but they still had a final to win against Malaysia who beat Nepal in the other semi-final.

CHAMPIONS THAILAND MAKE IT FOUR WINS OUT OF FOUR

Thailand completed an outstanding tournament with a clinical victory in the final after Malaysia chose to bat first but Thipatcha Putthawong claimed the early advantage as she took two wickets in her opening spell and pressure in the field then yielded two run outs.

But it was leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi who brought an early end to Malaysia’s innings with figures of 4 for 13 so Thailand would need only 55 to win the final of the Qualifier. Natthakan Chantham led the way with an unbeaten 41 from 30 balls as Thailand raced to victory in 10.4 overs.

Thailand had dominated the competition to show why they are ranked as the leading Associate women’s team in Asia. Chantham finished as best batter as well as player of the tournament with 196 runs at an average of 98.00, while off-spinner Onnicha Kamchomphu was named best bowler with eight wickets.