Chantham powers Thailand to upset Pakistan in Women’s Asia Cup

SYLHET: Natthakan Chantham starred with a brilliant half-century as Thailand pulled off an upset as they beat Pakistan by four wickets in the Women’s Asia Cup 2022 on Thursday.

Pakistan lost points for the first time in the ongoing tournament following the upset defeat by Thailand. The Green Shirts had earlier defeated Bangladesh and Malaysia in their first two games.

Thailand chased down the paltry target of 117 runs on the second last ball thanks to a scintillating knock by Chantham who blasted 61 off 51 before she was removed by Nida Dar in the 19th over.

Pakistan opener Sidra Ameen, on the other hand, played a phenomenal knock of 56 off 64 amid a dismal show by the rest of the batting line and took the team’s total to 116/5 in the allotted 20 overs after the Green Shirts opted to bat first.

Pakistan bowlers put up a strong resistance to defend the target as Tuba Hasan picked back-to-back wickets in the 9th over and dismantled the Thai top order.

Chantham then made a valiant 42-run partnership with skipper Naruemol Chaiwai (17 off 23) for the fouth wicket and moved the scoreboard from 40/2 to 82/2 in the 16th over before Kainat Imtiaz removed the Thai captain. 

Following the dismissal, Thailand jittered at the crucial stage of the game and lost three quick wickets before Nattaya Boochatham (3 off 3) and Rosenan Kanoh (9 off 5) took their side to the finishing line.

For Pakistan, Dar and Tuba bagged two wickets apiece while Kainat and Nashra Sandhu took a scalp each.

READ: Pakistan to go with ‘World Cup combination’ in Tri-series says Babar