Thailand women’s team celebrates in unique manner after win over Ireland

Thailand women’s team has done exceptionally thus far in the Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers in Scotland. The side, captained by Sornnarin Tippoch, is currently placed on top of the points table in Group A, also involving Ireland, Netherlands and Namibia. The table-toppers last managed to beat the Laura Delany-led Irish women’s team by a couple of runs (D/L Method) in Dundee.

They are next scheduled to lock horns with Bangladesh Women, captained by Salma Khatun, in the first semi-final on Thursday, September 5 at the very venue. There next opponent also topped the points table, staying unbeaten in three matches and the game is expected to be an absolute cracker.

In the meantime, the Thai cricketers churned out something very unique after beating Ireland. The players first celebrated and then queued up. Thereafter, they bowed to all four sides of the ground with their hands folded. The gesture was mostly to express gratitude for the scintillating show.

Here is the video

Suleeporn Laomi shines

As far as the game is concerned, it turned out to be a closely-fought affair after rain delayed the start of play. The encounter was reduced to 17 overs per side and it was Ireland, who won the toss and elected to field first. The decision didn’t backfire by any means as Thailand could only manage 92 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Naruemol Chaiwai top scored with 24 runs off 33 balls.

She also shared a stand of 39 runs along with Nannapat Koncharoenkai in 37 deliveries. For Ireland, 19-year-old left-arm seamer Leah Paul was the most successful, having gotten three wickets. Off-break bowler Eimear Richardson was the other Irish women to get into the wickets’ column. She picked up three wickets and was also economical, having conceded only 15 runs in four overs.

She was the leading scorer for Ireland in the run-chase with 21 off 19, but her efforts weren’t enough to take Ireland over the finishing line. Ireland could only manage 90 runs and tantalizingly fell short. Leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi was the Player of the Match. She got rid of opposition skipper Delany, Mary Waldron and tail-ender Shauna Kavanagh.

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