Gritty Thailand overcome Malaysian challenge

Thailand overcame a 68-run opening stand and a fifty from Wan Julia to begin their Asia Cup campaign with a 22-run win over Malaysia. Nannapat Koncharoenkai's 40 and Phannita Maya's 29 helped Thailand post 133/6 after they opted to bat. Malaysia started their reply well but quick wickets in the second half of their innings meant that they could eventually muster only 111/8.

The difference: Malaysia's middle order let-down

Malaysia were on course at one stage of the chase, with the openers having added 68 in 11 overs, despite a watchful innings from captain Winifred Duraisingam. But Thailand got the upper hand in a matter of a few overs as they bagged quick wickets and controlled the scoring, adding to the pressure. Although Julia got past fifty, she was losing partners regularly at the other end and the lack of support eventually led to her dismissal as well, as Thailand came back strongly to seal the game in their favour.

THAILAND

Powerplay: Thailand positive despite early wickets

Phase score - 44/2 [RR: 7.33, 4s/6s: 8/0]

Nattaya Boochatham's three fours off Ainna Hamizah Hashim in the opening over set the tone for Thailand's batting in the powerplay. Despite the openers Nannaphat Chaihan and Boochatham, falling in successive overs, with the latter scoring four boundaries in her 10-ball 18, Thailand ensured they remained positive in the first six overs. Nannapat Koncharoenkai's two fours off Suabika Manivannan, followed by another four off Aisya Eleesa, helped Thailand to 41/2 after five overs. Although Duraisingam conceded only three runs in the sixth over, Thailand maintained a good scoring rate in the powerplay to lay a solid platform.

Middle overs: Ismail's strikes keep Thailand in check

Phase score - 51/3 [RR: 5.66, 4s/6s: 6/0]

Mahirah Izzati Ismail's spell proved crucial for Malaysia in the middle overs as they were able to keep Thailand in check. Ismail started her spell in the seventh over, conceding only 2 runs and picked up the wicket of Thipatcha Putthawong. Koncharoenkai was finding the boundaries at the other end and Phannita Maya also struck a couple of fours, helping Thailand into the 90s. Koncharoenkai also hit a four off Ismail before the offspinner hit back with the wickets of Koncharoenkai (40) and Chanida Sutthiruang to leave Thailand at 95/5 at the end of the 14th over. Maya's boundary in four leg-byes in the next over helped Thailand past 100.

Death overs: Thailand post challenging total

Phase score - 29/1 [RR: 5.8, 4s/6s: 1/0]

With half their side back in the hut before the death overs, Thailand batting resources were limited, and Maya's dismissal off Duraisingam's bowling made it even tougher for them to finish with a good total. Ismail finished her spell with figures of 3 for 16 while Aisya Eleesa kept it tight in her last two overs. But Suwanan Khiaoto and Rosenan Kanoh ensured they did not play too many dots, taking the singles and twos regularly, with Kanoh's four off Duraisingam helping Thailand's cause, as they finished with 130-plus to give their bowlers something to work with.

MALAYSIA

Powerplay: Steady start by Malaysia openers

Phase score - 36/0 [RR: 6.0, 4s/6s: 5/0]

Wan Julia struck three fours inside the first three overs while Duraisingam hit a boundary. But in contrast to Thailand's start, the Malaysian openers were slightly watchful, with only 18 runs coming off the first four overs, including a maiden by Nattaya Boochatham. Julia and Duraisingam hit a boundary each off Maya in the sixth over, with the former also getting a lucky break as she was put down at backward point.

Middle overs: Thailand apply pressure with wickets

Phase score - 55/3 [RR: 6.11, 4s/6s: 6/0]

The Malaysian openers weren't in any hurry as they rotated the strike with the occasional boundary. This meant that the scoring rate also slowed down, with Thailand able to sneak in some quiet overs, leaving Malaysia at 59/0 at the halfway stage. Meanwhile, Julia got another reprieve as she was put down at mid-off in Onnicha Kamchomphu's over. The opening partnership extended to 68 before Thailand finally managed a wicket as Duraisingam was bowled by Kamchomphu. In the same over, Elsa Hunter got a boundary while Julia hit a four off Suleeporn Laomi. But Thailand applied some pressure on Malaysia with quick wickets as Laomi dismissed Hunter, followed by Thipatcha Putthawong trapping Ismail in front. Ainna Hamizah Hashim hit a much-needed boundary off Laomi, leaving Malaysia needing 43 in the last five overs.

Death overs: Regular wickets leave Malaysia well short

Phase score - 20/5 [RR: 4.0, 4s/6s: 0/0]

Needing to score at more than 8 an over, the pressure was on Malaysia and it translated into a wicket as Hashim was run out, late to react to Julia's call. Only five runs came in the 16th over, with the required rate going up to 9.5. Julia went on to bring up a run-a-ball fifty but the rate moved up to 11.33 as only four runs came in the 17th over bowled by Laomi. Julia's run out made it worse for Malaysia, who also lost Jamahidaya Intan to Kamchomphu in the 18th over. Chanida Sutthiruang and Boochatham got amongst the wickets in the last two overs as Malaysia fell well short of the finish line.

Brief scores: Thailand 133/6 in 20 overs (Nannapat Koncharoenkai 40, Phannita Maya 29; Mahirah Izzati Ismail 3-16) beat Malaysia 111/8 in 20 overs (Wan Julia 52, Winifred Duraisingam 22; Onnicha Kamchomphu 2-20) by 22 runs.

What next?

Both teams face tougher opponents on Monday. Malaysia will be up against hosts Sri Lanka in the afternoon match while Thailand face Bangladesh in the evening game.