Thailand targeting first win against UAE

Overview

Thailand v United Arab Emirates
Kampong Cricket Club, Utrecht
Play-off Semi-Final 2, WT20Q 2018
Thursday, 12 July, 15:00 BST, 16:00 Local

The Thais came into this tournament full of confidence having beaten Sri Lanka and the Netherlands in the lead-up but they registered three consecutive defeats in Group B, paying the price for some disappointing batting performances.

With the ball in hand they have been impressive, only losing by four wickets against Uganda despite posting just 67 and restricting Scotland to 97/6 in their final group game before being dismissed for 70.

They have yet to reach 100 so far in the competition but if they can they will be confident of claiming a victory.

UAE will be wondering what might have been. After kicking off their campaign with a dramatic four-wicket win over the Netherlands, they almost pulled off another stunning victory against Papua New Guinea, only to lose by two wickets from the last ball of the match.

It left them needing to beat an impressive Bangladesh side to qualify for the semi-finals, who swept them aside by eight wickets after bowling them out for just 39.

Given that both sides have struggled with the bat but shown skill with the ball, a low-scoring thriller could well be in store.

Key players

**Nattaya Boochatham (Thailand):**The 31-year-old has been impressive with bat and ball, hitting 41 against Ireland – comfortably Thailand's highest individual score in the competition – and taking 3/16 with her right-arm seamers against Scotland to raise hopes of an upset which never came to fruition.

Nisha Ali (UAE): The only player to make a half-century so far for her side, much depends on the 31-year-old right-hander if UAE are to post a match-winning score. That knock came against the Netherlands; a brilliant effort of 69 from 59 balls to set the platform for a memorable win. She has scored 5 and 2 in her innings since and UAE have struggled to fill the void.

Squads

**Thailand:**Somnarin Tippoch (c), Nattaya Boochatham, Naruemol Chaiwai, Natthakan Chantham, Onnicha Khamchomphu, Rosenanee Kanoh, Nannapat Koncharonkai, Suleeporn Laomi, Wongpaka Liengprasert, Rattanaporn Padunglerd, Srinitra Saengsakaorat, Sainamin Saenya, Chanida Sutthiruang and Arriya Yenyueak

UAE: Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne, Chaya Mughal, Esha Oza, Heena Hotchandani, Ishni Senavirathna, Judit Cleetus, Kavisha Kumari, Namita Dsouza, Neha Sharma, Nisha Ali, Roopa Nagaraj, Subha Srinivasan and Udeni Kuruppuarachchi