Women's Asia Cup 2022: Thailand bashes Malaysia to keep semi-final hopes alive

Thailand keeps themselves alive in the race for the semis of the ongoing Women's Asia Cup after thrashing a hapless Malaysia side by 50 runs. They climbed up to the fourth spot by virtue of this win, receiving a massive boost to their NRR as well. Malaysia end their Asia Cup campaign without a win to their name as their batters failed to leave a mark yet again.

Thailand were put into bat after Malaysia won the toss in a dead rubber for the latter. Thailand lost Natthakan Chantham in the third over after the opener was cleaned up by Sasha Azmi. But Nannapat Koncharoenkai, her opening partner, ensured that there was no further setback for the team.

Her 56-run stand with skipper Naruemol Chaiwai steadied the ship but failed to provide the impetus in the middle overs. Koncharoenkai fell short of a deserving half-century by nine runs as Chanida Sutthiruang (24 off 20) provided crucial runs for the team with a late flurry. Thailand finished with a modest total of 115 runs after the end of their innings.

Malaysia skipper Winifred Duraisingam was the pick of the bowlers, returning with impressive bowling figures of 2/13 in her three overs. Sasha Azmi backed her skipper valiantly with 1/12 in her four overs.

Malaysia bid farewell to the tournament after their sixth successive loss

Chasing a modest total, Malaysia, who were hoping to break their duck in the tournament, stuttered after losing Wan Julia for a two-ball duck in the second over. Elsa Hunter followed suit just after the powerplay with Mas Elysa dismissed just two balls later in the same over. 

Malaysia did not lay a glove on the Thai bowlers and were down and out by the tenth over of the second innings. The Thai total was never under threat, with the bowlers keeping a tight lid on things. The only positive for Malaysia was the fact that they managed to play their allocated 20 overs as they finished with a paltry 65/8.

Thipatcha Putthawong was the pick of the Thai bowlers, breaking the back of the Malaysia chase with her double wicket maiden just after the powerplay.