Thailand: Delayed by nearly two hours due to a wet outfield, the match was curtailed to 11 overs per side. Having won the toss and elected to field, Pakistan initially struggled to contain the Thai batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai, whose belligerent 49 off 38 deliveries anchored Thailand to a competitive total of 91 for 4. Skipper Fatima Sana was the pick of the Pakistani attack, claiming two wickets for 22 runs, including the crucial dismissal of Koncharoenkai off the final ball of the innings.
In response, Pakistan’s chase of 92 got off to a flying start courtesy of opener Shawaal Zulfiqar, who struck a lively 25 off 15 balls. However, off spinner Onnicha Kamchomphu (3 for 37) triggered a dramatic collapse, as Pakistan lost four wickets for just 11 runs in the space of 14 deliveries, slumping to 47 for 4.
With the equation standing at a daunting 44 required off 24 balls, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana turned the tide in a decisive eighth over. Sana unleashed a barrage of boundaries striking two fours and a six before being dropped at long-off for another boundary. Eyman Fatima closed the 25 run over with a maximum, drastically reducing the deficit.
Despite losing Sana and Eyman in quick succession, Tuba Hassan’s vital cameo comprising a boundary and a six brought Pakistan within touching distance of the target. Eman Naseer and Umm e Hani then calmly completed the remaining runs via risk free singles in the final over to seal the win.
Pakistan will now face the winner of the quarter-final between Malaysia and Sri Lanka in the semi finals on September 20.
