Bangladesh beat Thailand by 35 runs

Bangladesh came up with a commendable bowling performance as they thrashed the minnows Thailand by 35 runs, in Match Five of the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup T20 at the Asian Institute of Technology Ground in Bangkok on Monday.

Bangladesh’s Panna Ghosh was the top wicket-taker with 4 scalps for just 9 runs. Skipper Rumana Ahmed claimed 3 for 5. Opener Sanjida Islam was the top scorer with 38 runs. As for Thailand, Suleeporn Laomi claimed 3 wickets for 18, while Nattakan Chantam scored 21 runs, as Bangladesh registered their opening win of the tournament.

Earlier, Thailand skipper Sornnarin Tippoch won the coin toss, and elected to field first. Bangladesh were off to a shaky start, with Nigar Sultana falling for mere 2 with just 7 runs on the board. Just a run later, she was followed by Shaila Sharmin for an unfortunate duck. However, Bangladesh were steady until the score of 50, when Fargana Hoque fell for mere 15, and just 12 runs later, it was Ayasha Rahman, who was dismissed for 2.

The middle-order batsmen could hardly contribute much, with Ayasha Rahman falling for just 2, while Rumana was run out for just 4. It was the pair of Salma Khatun and Jahanara Alam, who remained unbeaten until the end to steer Bangladesh to 88 for the loss of 6 wickets, in the allotted 20 overs.

Thailand began the chase on a shaky note as well, as they lost Chanida Sutthiruang for an unfortunate duck with just 6 runs on the board. Just a run later, she was followed by Nattaya Boochatham who too failed to open her account. It was at the score of 23, when the third wicket in the form of Sirintra Saengsakaorat fell, who was dismissed for mere 4, while just 6 runs later it was opener Nattakan Chantam, who was dismissed for 21.

The Bangladesh middle-order, as well as the lower order too failed to add fireworks to the Thai side, as apart from skipper Tippoch, who scored 10, none of the other batsmen to touch the double figure mark, while the team was bundled for mere 53 in just 18.3 overs, thus awarding Bangladesh their opening win of the tournament by a healthy 35 runs.

Brief scores:
Bangladesh Women 88 for 6 in 20 overs (Sanjida Islam 38; Suleeporn Laomi 3 for 18) beat Thailand Women 53 in 18.3 overs (Nattakan Chantam 21; Panna Ghosh 4 for 9, Rumana Ahmed 3 for 5) by 35 runs.
Source: Cricket Country