Pakistan will now take on India in their second group match. Photo: ACC
Muneeba Ali battled through oppressive heat to hit a half-century before Pakistan’s disciplined spinners secured a 35-run victory over Thailand in their T20 Asia Cup opener on Tuesday.
The result eliminated Thailand from the competition after their second defeat in three matches, while Pakistan overcame another below-par batting display to make a winning start.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, Pakistan posted 119-9 on a slow, low pitch, despite captain Fatima Sana hoping her side would surpass 150.
“It was a low-scoring match, so we had to bowl in the same area as much as possible,” Tuba Hasan said in an interview with PCB
“There wasn’t consistent bounce from the pitch, so I bowled accordingly,” Nashra Sandhu said. “I didn’t have any particular plan. I kept things simple, and the pitch was helping us a lot.”
Thailand struggled throughout their chase and finished 84-8 as Pakistan’s spinners kept the pressure on with tight lines and attacking field placements.
Thipatcha Putthawong struck in the second over with a double-wicket maiden, removing Shawaal Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza, to become the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20 internationals. Putthawong now has 173 wickets in the format at an average of 9.17, while she finished the match with 2-21.
Pakistan stumbled to 32-3 in the powerplay, with Ayesha Zafar falling to an outstanding catch by Natthakan Chantham at midwicket off Phannita Maya.
Muneeba then steadied the innings with Sadaf Shamas, adding 54 for the fourth wicket. Muneeba, who appeared to struggle with the heat and repeatedly stopped to catch her breath, remained at the crease until the 17th over before being stumped by Suleeporn Laomi. She struck four boundaries in her 54 off 52 balls to register her fourth T20I half-century.
Shamas contributed a valuable 20 before Laomi struck twice in the 13th over, removing her and then dismissing Sana for a second-ball duck with a superb diving return catch. Laomi finished with 3-14 from four overs. Pakistan’s total was boosted by Tuba Hasan, who smashed a six and a four in her unbeaten 12 off four balls.
“My plan was also simple: to bowl in the right areas and target the stumps,” Hasan said.
Thailand’s chase never gained momentum.
Sadia Iqbal ripped through the top order in the second over, dismissing Maya and Nannapat Koncharoenkai in another double-wicket maiden. Sandhu then squeezed Thailand further after the powerplay, conceding only six runs from her four overs while also removing Chantham.
“On pitches like these, it is very important to bowl in the same area. The pitch provides the rest of the assistance,” Sandhu said.
“On pitches like these, you need to bowl consistently,” she added.
Iqbal returned for the final over and claimed another wicket to finish with 3-11.
Pakistan’s victory came despite their struggles with the bat, although their next challenge against India is likely to offer considerably less room for error.
“We are preparing for the next match as well. The humidity here is very high, so we have to adapt ourselves accordingly,” Hasan said.
“Before the next match, we need to reduce our mistakes further so that we can perform better.”
Hasan also said she would look to maintain her form while contributing with the bat.
“I will try to maintain my consistency and concede fewer runs in the next match,” she said. “I really enjoy my batting and try to contribute with the bat as well.”
Sandhu believes a modest total can still prove competitive on such surfaces.
“If we score 140 against a good opponent on a pitch like this, we have spinners who can make the conditions work in our favour,” she said.
