Series: T20 World Cup Qualifiers 2022
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium
Format: T20I
Toss: Thailand
Result: Thailand by 12 runs
As expected this was a terrific game of cricket and not decided until the last couple of overs. A spirited effort in the field by PNG saw Thailand restricted to just 93/8. The catching was superb and two direct hits caused runouts, while Brenda Tau executed a brilliant stumping. Vicky Araa and Isabel Toua the stars with the ball, the latter taking 2-5 from 4 overs.
If PNG fielded and bowled well, you can be sure the Thais would do exactly the same, for that is their game. Nattaya Boochatham with 4-8 from 4 overs was excellent. What was impressive with Thailand was their patience and the slow strangulation of the scoring rate was too much for the PNG batters in the end. Perhaps a little inexperience let PNG down but they are a good cricket team and will thrive with more game time.
Scores:
Thailand 93/8 (Chanida Sutthiruang 36*, Vicky Araa 4-22, Isabel Toua 2-5) 20 overs
PNG 81/6 (Tanya Ruma 35, Nattaya Boochatham 4-8, Onnicha Kamchomphu 2-16) 20 overs
Player of the Match: Nattaya Boochatham