Thailand Women have done what would have been a dream to claim victory against a Test nation in any format of the game. In their final group match in 2018 ACC Women’s Asia Cup, they have defeated Sri Lanka Women and now head to Netherlands upbeat about their chances in ICC World T20 qualifiers, in Jul 2018.
Thailand Women bowling has always been their strong asset and they have shown that in their earlier group matches against India Women and Pakistan Women. The same held off the challenge from Sri Lanka Women brilliantly as they restricted them to only 104 in their 20 overs, eventually bowling them out. Wongpaka Leingprasert was the star with the ball as she claimed 5/12 off her 4 overs. Too bad that this match did not carry T20I status.
Sornnarin Tippoch also contributed heavily by picking up 2/19 off her 4 overs. Nattaya Boochatham and Suleeporn Laomi didn’t pick any wicket but conceded only 33 runs between them in 8 overs to provide good support act to Tippoch and Leingprasert.
Naruemol Chaiwai provided the good start with 43 runs but batting order once again started to crumble after the 15th over as they lost 5 wickets in the space of 31 balls to be at 99/6 in the 20th over, needing 6 runs in the final 5 deliveries to record a major victory.
Leingprasert was once again in the thick of things as she saw off the chase in the final ball of the match to win the game for Thailand Women and remained unbeaten, making crucial 13 runs off 9 deliveries, to deservedly win the Player of the Match award.
A well fought win and Thailand Women ended their campaign in the Asia Cup by winning 2 games out of 5 and now look to continue the momentum in the World T20 qualifiers.
