Muneeba and bowlers shine as Pakistan eves beat Thailand

Thailand women put up a commendable performance though they lost the match by 36 runs against Pakistan at the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai.

After restricting Pakistani women to 120, Thailand failed to get over the line. Thai bowlers bowled splendidly well in their second consecutive match but they were let down by their batters.

Chasing a paltry total, Thailand got off to a stuttering start. They lost two wickets as Sadi Iqbal struck on successive deliveries in the second over to derail the chase from the beginning.

Phannita Maya and Nannapat Konchareonkai became the victims of Sadia. Naruemol Chaiwai and Natthakan Chantam added 27 runs to lead the fight back briefly.

After the dismissal of Chantham, Thailand kept on losing the wickets at regular intervals. They failed to get the partnership going which stopped the flow runs. The asking went up to 50 needed off the last 16 balls.

Chanida Sutthiruang tried to revive the chase with a fighting 24-ball 25 but she did not get enough support from the other end. Thailand could manage to muster 84/8 in their allotted overs. Saida and Tuba Hasan took three and two wickets respectively.

Earlier, Thipatcha Putthawong and Suleeporn Laomi took three wickets each. They ripped through the top and middle order of Pakistan.

A spirited Thailand put up an impressive start to push Pakistan on the backfoot from the beginning. Thailand have come up as the most promising team among the Affiliate Nations in the Women's Asia Cup.

After beating Hong Kong in their opening match, they gave India a tough time. Their bowlers staged a great comeback against India on the slow Dubai pitch as the seven-time Asian Champions had lost nine wickets in a space of 47 odd runs.

Thai bowlers seemed to have picked up where they left in the last match. Thai spinners have the potential to bother the best teams in the world. Putthawong began with a two-wicket maiden. She removed Shawaal Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza on the successive deliveries to give Pakistan a blow.

Maya got rid of Ayesha Zafar two overs later to reduce Pakistan to 23/3. Pakistan were facing a collapse and needed a big partnership. Chantam jumped almost two feet in the air and took an excellent catch with one hand to dismiss Ayesha.

Muneeba Ali was waging a lone battle on one end. Sadaf Shamas and Muneeba started building the innings, they added 54 runs for the fourth wicket to take the score to 77. Pakistan were looking set for a big total.

But Laomi struck to break the partnership. Sadaf miscued a shot and was taken by Maya in the cover point. But the worst was yet to come for Pakistan. Captain Fatima Sana was sent back to the pavilion by Laomi two balls later.

Fatima failed to read the length of the ball and punched it off the back foot. She failed to keep the ball down and Laomi dived to her right off her follow through to take a stunning catch and dismiss the Pakistani captain.

Fatima failed to open her account and left Pakistan in tatters. Pakistani batters failed to apply themselves on a slow, spin-friendly pitch.

Muneeba was standing strong on one end. She kept the scoreboard ticking with singles and doubles. The ball was coming slow on to the bat.

 Thai spinners were dominating the game. Pakistan were losing the wicket at regular intervals. On a slow turning pitch, Thai strategy was to make the Pakistani batters play on the front foot.

There was no or very little movement of the feet by Pakistani batters. They were seen playing away from their body without getting to the pitch of the ball. They played lofted shots which led to their dismissal.

Muneeba showed patience and perseverance. She played through the line of the ball and adjusted her feet accordingly on every delivery to counter the Thai spin attack.

Umm-e-Haani and Muneeba combined in a bid to revive the innings. But after adding just runs, Muneeba became the third victim of Laomi.

She invited Muneeba to come down the track with a flighted delivery. Muneeba could not resist the temptation as she fell into the trap.

She failed to connect the ball with the bat and an agile wicket-keeper Koncharoenkai took the bails off. Muneeba smashed a 52-ball 54. After the dismissal of Muneeba, Pakistan kept on losing the wickets at regular intervals.

After her dismissal, none of the Pakistani batters could survive against the Thai spin attack except Hani, who smashed 17. Tuba also chipped in with a vital 4-ball 12 as Pakistan folded their innings for 120/9.