Cricket: Bangladesh beat Thailand by 35 runs

After being at the receiving end of a 64-run drubbing in the opening game against India, Bangladesh bounced back strongly as they overwhelmed Thailand by 35 runs in the 5th match of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup at the Asian Institute of Technology ground in Bangkok today.

Thailand captain Sonnarin Tippoch won the toss and opted to field first. Her bowlers responded brilliantly and delivered the early breakthroughs to leave Bangladesh wobbling at 2-8 inside six overs. The third wicket partnership of 42 runs in nine overs stopped the rot, and allowed Bangladesh to reach 88 runs after 20 overs for the loss of six wickets.

Sanjida Islam held one end secured, as wickets fell around her. She scored 38 crucial runs from 48 balls to keep her side in the contest. For Thailand, Suleeporn Laomi was the most successful bowler during Bangladesh’s innings, and she took three wickets for 18 runs in four overs to peg back the tourists.

Chasing 89 for victory, the hosts were blown away by the early burst of wickets, as Jahanara Alam and Rumana Ahmed ripped apart Thailand’s top-order. From 5-35 inside 11 overs, Thailand looked down the barrel as Panna Ghosh began to wreck havoc in their ranks. Panna polished off Thailand’s lower order to finish with four wickets for only nine runs in four fantastic overs.

Nattakan Chantam was the highest scorer for Thailand with 21 runs from 23 balls. The third wicket stand of 16 in 5.1 overs was the only double-digit partnership in terms of runs for the hosts today.

Bangladesh are now in third position in the points table after their first win in the tournament. Their next match is on November 29 against Nepal at the Asian Institute of Technology ground in Bangkok.