New Delhi: Pakistan survived a scare to beat Thailand by three wickets in a thriller in the second quarterfinal of the women’s cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026 in Nisshin on Thursday, September 17. Pakistan chased down the target of 92 runs with just two balls to spare in the rain-marred game, which was reduced to an 11-over contest.
The match was reduced to 11 overs per side after a significant delay caused by rain and a wet outfield at the Korogi Sports Park, leaving both teams with little room for error. Asked to bat first, Thailand got off to a poor start but recovered well to post 91/4 on the board in 11 overs.
Thailand lost opener Natthakan Chantham cheaply on 6 after Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana dismissed her on 6 off 5 balls. Phannita Maya was retired hurt on 15, leaving Thailand in a spot of bother. However, wicket-keeper batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai slammed a 49 off 38 balls to help them get back on track.
She added 75 runs for the second wicket with captain Naruemol Chaiwai (10 off 3 balls) to ensure Thailand had a fighting total on the board. Sana bagged two of the four wickets that fell in Thailand’s innings, continuing her fine form with the ball.
Pakistan stutter but get over the line
Pakistan stuttered in the 92-run chase but managed to get over the line in the end to avoid an early upset in the women’s cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026. Openers Gull Feroza (16) and Shawaal Zulfiqar (25) added 36 runs for the first wicket to get Pakistan off to a decent start.
However, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals in the middle to get reduced to 77/6 in the tenth over. Tuba Hassan (13 off 7) and the tail-enders held their nerves to help Pakistan get over the line with two balls to spare to enter the semifinals of the competition and remain alive in the gold medal race at the Asian Games 2026.