Thailand have won the ICC Women’s World T20 Asia Qualifier held in Bangkok over the past week as they defeated UAE by 22 runs in the final as their opponents could score only 56 for 9 in 20 overs. It is the third time Thailand have won the Asian qualifying tournament for the World T20 Qualifier as they confirmed their superiority in the region even though UAE will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
Both Thailand and UAE will be taking part in the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier which will be held in Netherlands in June with the ultimate aim of winning a place in the Women’s World T20 in the West Indies in November 2018.
Thailand won the toss and chose to bat first and lost the early wicket of Nattakan Chantam as she was caught behind off Nisha Ali. Nattaya Boochatham showed off her batting skills to make 26 and take her side to 70 for 3 before Nisha Ali ended the innings by taking four wickets in four balls as Thailand lost seven wickets for eight runs.
A target of 79 was just within range for UAE but Thailand’s bowlers have been economical throughout the tournament as they have conceded less than two runs per over but the crucial moment came when Nisha Ali called her partner for a single and she remained unmoved for the star player to be run out for just one.
Nisha Ali reflected that the game was UAE’s at that point and although Roopa Nagraj did her best Thailand’s bowling proved too good as Chainida and Nattaya both claimed two wickets and Nattaya finished with 10 wickets for 27.
Nisha Ali was player of the match as she took 5 for 7 and player of the tournament as she scored 90 runs and claimed 12 wickets but Thailand were justly crowned champions as the SEA Games gold medalists have won yet another trophy.
Nepal beat Hong Kong by 36 runs in the third place play-off as they gained some consolation for missing out on the final after a narrow defeat to UAE.