The United Arab Emirates and Thailand have reserved their seats for the T20W World Cup Global Qualifier during the Asia Qualifier play in Malaysia. In the first semi-final of the Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier, UAE defeated Hong Kong by a score of 57 runs thanks to an aggressive 85 from Esha Oza. Nannapat Koncharoenkai’s 59 helped Thailand reach 105 for two in the second semi-final before their bowlers skittled Nepal for 59.
The top two teams from the ten-team T20 World Cup Qualifier will progress to the main event. Both winners advance to that round. On Saturday, they will also compete in the Asia Qualifier final.
Hong Kong vs. United Arab Emirates
Hong Kong chose to bowl first, and they got off to a fantastic start when Maryam Bibi used a direct hit to take out Theertha Satish. Esha Oza ended the powerplay by shoving Alison Siu into the leg side for three straight goals after a brief stretch of silence. With just 15 runs allowed in the following four overs, Hong Kong managed to slow things down and limit the UAE to 48 for one at the ten-over point.
For the second part of the innings, though, Oza shifted into high gear and dispatched Maryam Bibi for three boundaries in a single over before doing the same to Hong Kong skipper Kary Chan.
Retaliating, Ruchitha Venkatesh only let up 16 runs in her remaining three overs. When she was being pulled to a diving Shanzeen Shahzad at long on, the off-spinner picked up the important wicket of Oza. Despite this, the harm had already been done. UAE gave Hong Kong an intimidating 142 to win.
Hong Kong got off to a fast start thanks to Natasha Miles, who hit three boundaries in Samaira Dharnidharka’s opening over. Sadly, things only got worse for Hong Kong. Suraksha Kotte, an off-spinner, completely changed the course of the match by dismissing both Miles and Kary Chan in the third over. In the fourth over, after Mariko Hill failed to complete a paddle sweep and was instead struck for a wicket, Hong Kong was reduced to 24 for three.
With their three greatest batters now in the dugout, Hong Kong was unable to produce the crucial comeback. They were bowled out for 84 with more than three overs to spare despite Maryam Bibi’s career-best 34.
Brief ratings:
By 57 Runs, the UAE defeated Hong Kong 84/10 in 16.5 Overs (Bibi 34, Oza 2-6, Kotte 2-11) with a score of 141/4 in 20 Overs (Oza 85, Egodage 42*, Venkatesh 1-24).
Nepal and Thailand
Nepal had success in the first over after deciding to bowl first. Suwanan Khiaoto was caught by Kabita Kunwar, much to the satisfaction of the skipper Rubina Chhetry. With only 31 runs allowed in the first half of the innings, Nepal continued to make Thailand struggle for their runs.
However, following the drink break, Thailand changed tactics, exactly as they had against Hong Kong. In each of the following three overs, Nannapat Koncharoenkai and Natthakan Chantham collected a boundary with their feet, raising the score to 54. Natthakan Chantham was dismissed by Puja Mahato for a catch behind, but Nepal was unable to prevent its adversaries from scoring 30 runs in the remaining three overs to set a target of 106.
In the second inning, the spinners from Thailand wrecked havoc on the Nepali batters. Kajal Shrestha was removed by Nattaya Boochatham in the first over, and Indu Barma and Rubina Chhetry were removed by Thipatcha Putthawong in the second over when the latter trapped Chhetry in front. Before falling to Phannita Maya, Sita Rana Magar hit a boundary, leaving Nepal reeling in the fifth over at 8 for 4.
With three balls remaining in their 20-over allotment, Nepal was bowled out despite Kunwar’s top score of 17, which was undefeated.
Brief ratings:
Nepal’s 59/10 in 19.3 Overs (Kunwar 17*, Putthawong 3-5) was defeated by Thailand’s 105/2 in 20 Overs (Koncharoenkai 59, Chantham 31, Kunwar 1-17) by 46 Runs.
India
