Thailand women defeat India A in T20 World Cup warm-up series

Thailand 132 for 3 (Chantam 82*, Boochatham 25, Pradhan 2-28) defeated India A 123 for 9 (George 44, Punia 23, Kamchomphu 2-12, Boochatham 2-26) by 9 runs.

After being bowled out for 53 only two days ago Thailand have reversed their fortunes in style to defeat India A by 9 runs on Saturday, during the quadrangular T20 series being held at Urja Stadium, Patna featuring Thailand, Bangladesh and India “A” & “B” sides, in preparation for next month’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

After Sornnarin Tippoch won the toss and elected to bat opener Nattakan Chantam batted the entire innings to remain 82 not out and was ably assisted by Nattaya Boochatham (25) and Chanida Sutthiruang (18), as Thailand only lost three wickets on their way to setting India A a target of 133 for victory.

India A’s second wicket partnership was looking threatening before off spinner Onnicha Kamchomphu picked up the key wicket of opener Priya Punia for 23 with the score on 65.

Finishing with 2 for 12 from her three overs, Kamchomphu also took the third wicket, when top scorer Jincy George (44) was dismissed caught and bowled with the score on 85 in the 15th over.

READ MORE ON HOW THAILAND BUILT A FORMIDABLE WOMEN’S NATION TEAM: HERE

Pradhan hit the fourth ball of the 19th over for a boundary but was then run out coming back for a second run immediately after, and when number nine Meghna Singh was bowled for a golden duck by Boochatham next ball, India A had lost three wickets in four balls, were eight wickets down and required 12 to win from the final over.

ICC Women’s Emerging Player of 2019 Chanida Sutthiruang was brought on to bowl the 20th and she did not disappoint. The famously accurate right arm quick conceded only two runs, while also picking up a wicket, as she secured victory for Thailand.

In a rematch of the T20 World Cup Qualifier final, Thailand will face Bangladesh on the final day of group play on Monday, before the event moves into its finals day on Wednesday