Pakistan eves survive Thailand scare to reach semis

Captain Fatima Sana was Pakistan's leading bowler with 2-22.

Pakistan survived a major scare from Thailand to secure a three-wicket victory in a rain-shortened women’s cricket quarter-final at the 2026 Asian Games in Nisshin, Japan, on Thursday.

With the match reduced to 11 overs per side because of a wet outfield, Pakistan won the toss and opted to field.

Thailand posted 91 for four, with wicketkeeper-batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai top-scoring with a fluent 49 off 38 balls, including seven fours. Captain Naruemol Chaiwai provided a late burst with 10 off just three balls.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana was their leading bowler with 2-22.

Pakistan began their chase strongly, with Shawaal Zulfiqar hitting 25 off 14 balls and Gull Feroza making 16. However, Thailand fought back spectacularly, reducing Pakistan from 36 without loss to 47 for four, with four wickets falling for 11 runs.

Fatima Sana then changed the momentum, smashing 21 off 13 balls. A crucial over produced 25 runs, including boundaries from Sana and a six by Eyman Fatima, leaving Pakistan needing 19 from 18 balls. Thailand continued to fight, but Tuba Hassan’s 13 off seven balls, including a six and a four, brought Pakistan within four runs of victory.

Pakistan eventually reached 92 for seven in 10.4 overs, with Umm-e-Hani hitting the winning run. Onnicha Kamchomphu was Thailand’s most successful bowler with 3-37.

ScorescColor:> (11 overs) Pakistan 92 for 7(Zulfiqar 25, Kamchomphu 3-37, Chaturongrattana 2-23) beat Thailand 91 for 4 (Koncharoenkai 49, Sana 2-22) by three wickets.