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On Thursday, a dominant India oppressed minnows Thailand by 74 runs to storm into the final and remain on course for a record-extending seventh women’s Asia Cup title. The win over Thailand took India to their eighth straight Asia Cup final — four each in ODI and T20 formats. Before 2012, the tournament was a 50-over-a-side affair.
Further, the semifinal tournament against Thailand was expected to be a cinch for India. India also posted 148 for six after being sent in to bat and then prohibited Thailand to 74 for 9 in the lop-sided contest. Meanwhile, Thailand was never in the hunt as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Indians bundled out Thailand for just 37 runs in 15.1 overs and then hustled down the target with consummate ease. On Thursday, the Thai women gave a better account of themselves with the bat despite being reduced to 21 for 4 in the eighth over.
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Further, Deepti Sharma (3/7) did most of the damage with her off-spin, picking up the first three Thai wickets — Nannapat Koncharoenkai, Natthakan Chantham, and Sornnarin Tippoch.
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Captain Naruemol Chaiwai (21) and Nattaya Boochatham (21) showed some friction with the bat with a 42-run stand for the fifth wicket but the asking rate was too tall.
However, as soon as the duo evacuated, the Indian bowlers just ran through Thailand’s lower-order batting line-up. Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/10), Shafali Verma (1/10), and Sneh Rana (1/16) were the other wicket-takers for India.
Earlier, invited to bat, Shafali Verma was at her destructive best, top-scoring for India with a 28-ball 42 with the help of five boundaries and one hit over the fence.
Smriti Mandhana and Verma shared 38 runs in 4.3 overs before the former hit a low full toss from Phannita Maya straight to Onnicha Kamchomphu at mid-on.
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