Pakistan beat Thailand to make triumphant start to Women's T20 Asia Cup

DUBAI: A disciplined bowling performance after Muneeba Ali's half-century helped Pakistan register a comfortable 35-run victory over Thailand in the fifth match of the ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Set to chase a modest 120-run target, Thailand could muster 84/8 in their 20 overs and thus succumbed to their second defeat in the ongoing continental tournament.

All-rounder Chanida Sutthiruang remained the top-scorer for the emerging side with a 24-ball 25, while captain Naruemol Chaiwai (17), Natthakan Chantham (14) and Aphisara Suwanchonrathi (13) were the others to amass double figures against a disciplined Pakistan bowling attack.

Sadia Iqbal spearheaded Pakistan's bowling charge with economical bowling figures of 3/11 in her four overs, followed by Tuba Hasan with two, while Nashra Sandhu and captain Fatima Sana chipped in with one scalp apiece.

The comprehensive victory put Pakistan into the second position in the Group A standings of the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026, only trailing arch-rivals India due to a relatively inferior net run rate.

Thailand, on the other hand, slipped down to the third spot as they finished with two points in three group-stage matches.

Opting to bat first in their campaign opener of the eight-team continental tournament, the Green Shirts got off to a shaky start to their innings as they lost right-handed opener Shawaal Zulfiqar (one) and top-order batter Gull Feroza (zero) inside two overs with just six runs on the board.

The Green Shirts suffered another setback in the fifth over when Phannita Maya dismissed Ayesha Zafar, who could muster nine off eight deliveries.

With the scoreboard reading 23/3 in 4.4 overs, Sadaf Shamas joined Muneeba in the middle, and the duo batted sensibly to launch Pakistan's recovery.

Sadaf (20) and Muneeba put together crucial 54 runs for the fourth wicket until the former fell victim to Suleeporn Laomi in the 13th over, which also marked the dismissal of Pakistan captain Fatima Sana (zero).

Muneeba then shared a 13-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Umm-e-Hani until eventually being dismissed by Laomi, who spearheaded Thailand's bowling charge with sensational figures of 3/14 in her four overs.

The left-handed opener remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a valiant 54 off 52 deliveries, laced with four fours.

Pakistan then lost three more wickets in the next as many overs, but handy contributions from Umm-e-Hani and Tuba Hassan, who made 17 and 12 not out, respectively, ultimately helped them finish at 119/19 in their 20 overs.

Besides Laomi, Thipatcha Putthawong also picked up three wickets but conceded four more runs in her quota of overs. Right-arm seamer Maya bagged two wickets, while Sunida Chaturongrattana made one scalp.