Pakistan reach Asian Games 2026 cricket semi

Pakistan secured a tense three-wicket victory against Thailand to advance to the women’s cricket semi-finals at the Asian Games 2026 in Nisshin, Japan, on Thursday.

Chasing a revised target of 92 runs from 11 overs due to rain interruptions, Pakistan found themselves in difficulty at 47 for four before captain Fatima Sana led a pivotal 25-run over that turned the match in their favour. The team ultimately achieved the target with two balls to spare, according to the International Cricket Council.

The quarter-final was delayed by nearly two hours because of a wet outfield, with Pakistan opting to bowl after winning the toss. The powerplay was shortened to 3.2 overs, during which Sana took an early wicket by dismissing Thailand’s experienced opener Natthakan Chantham.

Thailand’s Nannapat Koncharoenkai anchored the innings with boundaries around the ground and formed a partnership with captain Naruemol Chaiwai. She accelerated after the sixth over, hitting consecutive fours off Umm-e-Hani in a 14-run over. Koncharoenkai scored 49 but was denied a half-century when Sana trapped her lbw with a full delivery. Sana finished with bowling figures of two for 22, while Nashra Sandhu took the wicket of Chaiwai as Thailand posted 91 for four wickets.

Pakistan began their chase strongly through Shawaal Zulfiqar, who struck three fours and a six in the first three overs. However, Thailand’s bowlers responded with an impressive spell, taking four wickets for 11 runs in 14 balls. Zulfiqar was dismissed for 25 off 14 balls by off-spinner Onnicha Kamchomphu, who also removed Ayesha Zafar for one, Gull Feroza for 16, and Aliya Riaz.

With the score at 47 for four, Pakistan required 45 runs from 30 balls. Sana took control by hitting two boundaries and a six through the leg side, benefitting from a dropped catch and a misfield that yielded additional runs. Eyman Fatima concluded the over with a six, taking 25 runs off it and reducing the target to 19 from 18 balls.

Sana fell early in the next over after scoring 21 from 13 deliveries, and the following over yielded only three runs. Fatima was caught in the 10th over with Pakistan still 15 runs short. Tuba Hassan then revived the innings with a six and a four, bringing the target down to four runs from seven balls. Hassan was caught at fine leg off the penultimate over’s final ball, but Eman Naseer and Umm-e-Hani held their nerve by scoring four singles from the remaining deliveries to complete the chase.

The victory continues Pakistan’s strong Asian Games record, where they are two-time gold medallists. It also followed their recent 35-run win against Thailand in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month.

Pakistan will face the winner of the Malaysia-Sri Lanka quarter-final in the semi-final on September 20.

Separately, Bangladesh advanced to the semi-finals after rain resulted in the abandonment of their quarter-final against China. Bangladesh is set to meet the winner of India’s quarter-final against Japan on September 20.

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