SRI LANKA A OVERCOME THAILAND TO COMPLETE SEMI-FINAL LINE-UP

SRI LANKA A OVERCOME THAILAND TO COMPLETE SEMI-FINAL LINE-UP

The sixth day of the DP Word Asia Cup Rising Stars Women’s 2026 at TCG in Bangkok saw Sri Lanka A claim their place in the semi-finals by beating Thailand by 23 runs to finish in second place in Group B behind Bangladesh A who had earlier gained victory over Malaysia by 90 runs.

The afternoon match which completed the league stage of the tournament was a winner takes all contest with the victors taking the last place in the semi-finals. Thailand were soon a bowler short as Onnicha Kamchomphu, the steady off-spinner, was taken to hospital after suffering a finger injury.

Thailand were forced to change their bowling strategy with four overs shared between Chanida Sutthiruang and Natthakan Chantham which conceded 40 runs and helped Sri Lanka A reach a useful total of 133 for 5 as Hasima Karunaratne made a polished 62 from 52 balls. Phannita Maya returned the excellent figures of 2 for 19 but Thailand would have to bat well to chase a target of 134.

They started on the front foot as Natthakan hit three boundaries in the opening over and Thailand reached 42 for 0 in the six-over powerplay so victory remained a possibility with the total progressing to 59 for one at the halfway stage.

Natthakan Chantham continued to bat well with her two sixes coming at crucial times to keep her side in contention. Wickets started to fall around her as Nannapat Khoncharoenkai was run out and Naruemol Chaiwai followed next ball.

Hope remained alive while Natthakan was at the crease but she was bowled round her legs for 57 in 49 balls to leave the score on 85 for 5 and no Thai batter reached double figures apart from Natthakan or her opening partner Aphisara Suwanchonrathi who contributed 24 to an opening stand of exactly fifty.

Thailand were bowled out for 110 with Onnicha unable to bat and Sri Lanka A had claimed the last place in the semi-finals with their 23-run victory. Thailand could reflect on achieving a comprehensive victory against Malaysia and putting up two decent performances against Bangladesh A and Sri Lanka A.

In the morning match the Malaysians did well to restrict Bangladesh A to 52 for 4 before Lala Mondal and Fahima Khatun shared a partnership of 55 for the fifth wicket and Lala went on to top-score with 48 before being lbw to the last ball of the innings.

Bangladesh A’s total was more than enough for Malaysia who were content to bat out the overs as Nur Arianna Natsya made an unbeaten 22 to take her side to 61 for nine. Bangladesh A won by the convincing margin of 90 runs as Fatema Jahan returned figures of 3 for 10.

The semi-finals will both be played at TCG on Friday 20^th February with India A taking on Sri Lanka A at 9.30 am and Bangladesh A facing Pakistan A at 2.00 pm. Thailand had lost narrowly to Bangladesh A and Sri Lanka A but the A teams have proved they are stronger all-round teams than the Associate countries and we should be in for some competitive cricket in the semi-finals.