Thailand, UAE and Malaysia register clinical wins on Day 2
Malaysia vs Qatar
A crucial 42 off 38 balls from Malaysian captain Elsa Hunter backed by her side’s tight fielding and economical spells propelled the hosts to a 28-run victory over Qatar, who could only manage 88/3 while chasing 116.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl, Qatar started off well with the ball as Sarrinah Siddiqui dismissed Nurr Rahman and Dhanusri Muhunan for ducks, both bowled in the second over. She returned to claim the wicket of Nur Abedul Samad to reduce Malaysia to 30-4 at the end of the sixth over.
However, Hunter batted with patience in a 36-run stand for the sixth wicket with Musfirah Azmi to score 42 off 38 balls, a knock that featured six boundaries. After her dismissal in the 16th over, Azmi ensured her side finished with 115-7 as she struck four boundaries in an unbeaten innings of 24. Hiya Ladani and Tafaul El Nour picked two wickets apiece.
In response, Qatar openers, captain Saachi Dhadwaal and Shruti Rana, batted cautiously to bring up a 51-run partnership for the first wicket. However, once they were both run-out, two overs apart, with Azmi involved in both dismissals, the Qatar batters lost momentum as their chase eventually fizzled out managing only 88-3 in 20 overs.
Player of the match, Elsa Hunter, praised her team’s effort after the game, “We were losing wickets in the first round, but we came back. The girls worked very hard leading up to this tournament so this win was very deserving of their hard work.”
Brief Scores:
Malaysia won by 28 runs. Malaysia 115-7. Qatar 88-3. POTM: Elsa Hunter
UAE vs Nepal
UAE left-arm seamer Mahika Gaur’s maiden five-wicket haul skittled Nepal out for 8 in 8.1 overs before the openers knocked off the target in seven balls to remain unbeaten in the tournament.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Nepal were reduced to 2 for 5 as three out of the top five batters failed to get off the mark.
Openers Anjali Bishowkarma and Kiran Kunwar were the first to depart, dismissed by Indhuja Nandakumar and Mahika Gaur respectively. The duo shared eight wickets between them as Alisha Yadav was the last to depart caught off Samaira Dharnidharka.
In response, UAE openers, captain Theertha Satish and Lavanya Keny scored 8 off the first over from Anu Kadayat before a single off Shristi Jaisi helped them register a mammoth win with as many as 113 balls and ten wickets to spare.
Mahika Gaur, player of the match, said she was elated to contribute to her side’s huge win, “It felt great. I feel very happy to contribute to the victory and I am sure all of us will take the confidence going into the next match. It’s my first five-wicket haul so it’s a great feeling.”
Brief Scores:
UAE beat Nepal by 10 wickets. Nepal 8 all out in 8.1 overs. UAE 9-0 in 1.1 overs.
Thailand vs Bhutan
Banthida Leephatthana’s unbeaten knock of 73 followed by Nanthita Boonsukham’s 3-19 were instrumental in Thailand’s defense of 182-3 restricting Bhutan to 52-8.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Thai openers Nannaphat Chaihan and Leephatthana put up a 69-run partnership for the first wicket and struck 11 boundaries between them before the former was caught off Sonam in the sixth over.
Thailand captain, Thipatcha Putthawong, was dismissed by Chado Om in the ninth over but a 78-run stand for the third wicket between Leephatthana and Phannita Maya, who scored a 29-ball 40, ensured Thailand finished with a strong total of 182-3.
In reply, Bhutan’s chase never really gathered momentum, regularly losing wickets. They lost both openers for a duck in the first over, Pema Yangchen run-out without facing a delivery. 0-2 became 12-5 in the ninth over in the face of increasing run-rate as Nanthita Boonsukham scythed through the middle-order.
Sonam and Norbu Wangchuk combined for a brief partnership, chipping in with 12 and 10, respectively but eventually finished on 52-8. Thipatcha Putthawong picked two wickets to set up her side’s 130-run win.
Player of the match, Banthida Leephatthana, was overjoyed after her knock, battling stitches on her finger and said, “I feel very proud today. I had 3 stitches on my hand before the match and I just wanted to support the team and am happy to have done my part.”
Brief Scores:
Thailand won by 130 runs. Thailand 182-3 in 20 overs. Bhutan 52-8 in 20 overs.
