Women’s Asia Cup 2024, SL-W vs THA-W 12th leg, Group B match report, July 24, 2024

Toss Thailand won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka

Thailand captain Thipatcha Putthawong made the right decision and had no hesitation in batting in the final group match of the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup against Sri Lanka.

Thailand have an unchanged team from their previous encounter against Bangladesh. “A par score is what we are looking for,” said Thailand captain Putthawong. “We haven’t made too many changes. We are just focusing on batting and partnerships.”

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka made four changes to their team from their previous XI. Returning to the playing XI of their opening match against Bangladesh, they brought back Hasini Perera, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya and Inoshi Priyadharshani in place of Shashini Gimhani, Sachini Nisansala, Kawya Kavindi and Ama Kanchana.

Chamari Athapaththu said she also wanted to bat but it was a “good opportunity to bowl first” and she had a good, experienced bowling line-up.

As it stands in Group B, Bangladesh have already reached the semi-finals of the tournament with three wins from two games. Sri Lanka are top of the table with two wins from two. A win will certainly secure their place in the last four, but even a relatively narrow loss will see them through.

Thailand are still in the semi-finals but need a big win to knock Sri Lanka out of the race. Assuming a first innings total of 140, Thailand will need to win by 80 runs with 72 balls to spare to get past Sri Lanka’s net run rate.

Thailand: 1 Nattaya Boochatham, 2 Nannapat Koncharoenkai (wk), 3 Phannita Maya, 4 Chanida Sutthiruang, 5 Suwanan Khiaoto, 6 Thipatcha Putthawong (captain), 7 Onnicha Kamchomphu, 8 Rosenan Kanoh, 9 Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, 10 Suleeporn Laomi, 11 Sunida Chaturongrattana

Sri Lanka: 1 Vishmi Gunaratne, 2 Chamari Athapaththu (captain), 3 Harshitha Samarawickrama, 4 Hasini Perera, 5 Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), 6 Kavisha Dilhari, 7 Nilakshi de Silva, 8 Inoshi Priyadharshani, 9 Udeshika Prabodhani, 10 Sugandika Kumari, 11 Achini Kulasuriya