Pakistan down Thailand to reach Asian Games semis

Fatima Sana’s charges recover from late collapse in a rain-curtailed game to chase 92 with two balls spare

Pakistan women held their nerve to beat Thailand women by three wickets in a tense second quarter-final at the Asian Games in Nisshin on Thursday.

Pakistan chased the 92-run target with two balls remaining after losing seven wickets in the process.

Thailand, sent in to bat, posted 91 for four from their allotted 11 overs, with Nannapat Koncharoenkai top-scoring 49 from 38 balls.

Fatima Sana spearheaded Pakistan bowling with 2-22 from three overs, while Nashra Sandhu took 1-19 as the game had been reduced to 11 overs a side due to delayed start because of rain.

Pakistan made a brisk start to the chase, reaching 50 in 7.1 overs, but Thailand fought back with regular wickets to keep the contest alive.

Shawaal Zulfiqar struck 25 from 14 balls and Fatima added 21 from 13, both hitting three fours and a six apiece. Tuba Hassan then contributed a rapid 13 from seven balls before being dismissed with Pakistan on 88 for seven.

Eman Naseer and Umm-e-Hani held their nerve in the dyeing moments, scoring the final four runs as Pakistan reached 92-7 in 10.4 overs.

Onnicha Kamchomphu was Thailand's most successful bowler, taking 3- 37 from three overs, while Sunida Chaturongrattana claimed two.

Meanwhile in the first quarter-final between China and Bangladesh was washed out due to rain with Bangladesh progressing to the semi-finals.

The game initially got delayed due to wet outfield and then it was called off with Bangladesh moving to the last four.