In their opening match of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup, Pakistan women triumphed over Thailand women by a margin of 35 runs. Muneeba Ali played a pivotal role, scoring her fourth T20I half-century, while Sadia Iqbal made a significant impact with three wickets. The match took place on Tuesday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS).
Electing to bat first in the eight-team tournament, Pakistan posted a modest total of 119/9, with Muneeba Ali scoring 54 off 52 balls, while Sadaf Shamas contributed a run-a-ball 20 in the low-scoring encounter. Chasing 120 to win, Thailand were never able to get going in the run-chase as they lost two wickets in the second over with six runs on the board. Sadia returned in the final over of the match to bag her third wicket and finished with match figures of 4-1-11-3. Right-arm leg-spinner Tuba Hassan was also among the wicket-takers, taking two wickets for 17 runs from her four overs.
However, Pakistan made a strong comeback in the match as they defended the modest score. Both wickets went to left-arm spinner Sadia, who bowled a double-wicket maiden over. Another left-arm spinner, Nashra Sundhu, was the most economical bowler for the winning side, conceding just six runs and taking one wicket in four overs.
Pakistan will now take on India in their second group match on Saturday at the DICS.
