PNG shock Thailand by defending 93-run target  

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The first shock result of the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy in Bangkok saw the hosts suffer a defeat to Papua New Guinea (PNG) by eight runs despite chasing a low 93 runs for victory.

Elsewhere, Scotland held their nerve to beat Tanzania by five runs, becoming the only unbeaten side on an exciting day marked by close finishes.

PNG chose to bat first after they won the toss at the Terdthai Cricket Ground (TCG) on the second day of the tournament but soon regretted their decision when Thailand’s bowling attack applied the pressure from the start.

PNG were 22 for two at the end of the power play when leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi took an exceptional three wickets in one over to reduce them to a perilous 23 for five – five wickets falling for just eight runs.

Isabel Toua came in at number eight for PNG and she did well to top-score with 25 to see her side from 41 for six to a final total of 92 for nine before being dismissed from the last ball of the innings.

Thailand lost their openers early and only managed 13 runs in the first six overs. They struggled to 24 for three at the halfway stage with captain Naruemol Chaiwai trying to steady the innings. Thailand still needed 52 from the last five overs when suddenly the skipper began to find boundaries, scoring 44 from 40 balls with six fours.

PNG did not buckle to the pressure and beat the hosts for the first time in T20I cricket.

Pauke Siaka was outstanding with figures of four for 12 but Toua had played a very composed innings at number nine to rescue PNG’s innings so that the champions of the East Asia-Pacific (EAP) region could enjoy one of the greatest victories in their history.

At the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) ground, the Netherlands surprised the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by bowling them out for 93 in 17.4 overs with four bowlers claiming two wickets apiece. Only Heena Hotchandani gave much resistance with the bat, scoring 30 from 39 balls.

Sterre Kalis took her side to the verge of victory when she scored a flowing 40 from 43 balls with five boundaries and a six. Vaishnave Mahesh claimed three wickets for 22 to keep UAE in the match before Netherlands won with seven balls to spare.

The afternoon match at the TCG ground was even more low-scoring than the contest in the morning as Namibia recovered from their tournament-opening loss to beat Uganda by 12 runs. They defended their score of 83 for eight and walked away with a hard-fought, 12-run win.

Kayleen Green (21 off 37 balls), Yasmeen Khan (19 off 25) and Naomi Benjamin (18 off 17) at number nine were the leading run scorers, but it was Uganda’s bowlers, Sarah Akiteng (two for 10), Malisa Ariokot (two for 12) and Immaculate Nakisuuyi (two for 16) who were the stars of the innings, restricting Namibia to an arguably low score.

Namibia’s bowlers responded in kind in Uganda’s reply. Leigh-Marie Visser took an outstanding three wickets for 10 runs and Mekelaye Mwatile added two for eight to her tally to help reduce their fellow Africans to 71 for seven at the end of their allotted overs.

In the last match at AIT, Scotland hit the highest total in the tournament so far, posting 153 for five in their 20 overs against Tanzania after winning the toss and electing to bat first.

Opening batter, Darcey Carter smashed an unbeaten 76 runs from 62 deliveries with Ellen Watson (23), Priyanaz Chatterji (19) and Ailsa Lister (14) batting well around her. It’s Carter’s second half-century in the competition so far and her unbeaten score, following her 54 runs against Uganda on the opening day.

Tanzania, who had beaten Namibia on day one, made a valiant effort to chase down the score. Opening batters Fatuma Kibasu (28 off 28 balls) and Shaum Mtae (27 off 23), shared a 58-run partnership and Hudaa Omary added 38 quick runs from 34 deliveries, giving their side hope, but the experience of Scotland won out.

Carter topped up her impressive work with the bat with three wickets, with Niamh Robertson-Jack, Rachel Slater and Chloe Abel chipped in with one scalp each to squeeze a five-run victory for their side in the end.

The complete schedule of the tournament and other details are available in this media release.

Scores in brief

Thailand v PNG - TCG, Bangkok

PNG 92/9 in 20 overs (Suleeporn Laomi 3 for 14)

Thailand 84/8 in 20 overs (Naruemol Chaiwai 44; Pauke Siaka 4/12)

Result: PNG won by 8 runs

Netherlands v UAE – AIT, Bangkok

UAE 93 in 17.4 overs (Heena Hotchandani 30)

Netherlands 94/6 in 18.5 overs (Sterre Kalis 40; Vaishnave Mahesh 3/22)

Result: Netherlands won by 4 wickets

Uganda v Namibia – TCG, Bangkok

Namibia 83/8 in 20 overs

Uganda 71/7 in 20 overs (Leigh-Marie Visser 3/10)

Result: Namibia won by 12 runs

Scotland v Tanzania – AIT, Bangkok

Scotland 153/5 in 20 overs (Darcey Carter 76*

Tanzania 148/8 in 20 overs (Hudaa Omary 38*; Darcey Carter 3/23)

Result: Scotland won by 5 runs