Dubai: Sadia Iqbal’s three-wicket haul led a clinical bowling display, while Muneeba Ali’s crucial knock of 54 helped Pakistan secure a comfortable 35-run victory over Thailand after posting 119/9 and successfully restricting Thailand to 84/8. With the victory, Pakistan opened their Asia Cup 2026 campaign with a win in the fifth match of the T20 Asia Cup 2026 at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday, 1 September.
Both teams showcased disciplined and clinical bowling, while Pakistan endured a difficult start. Muneeba Ali delivered a standout and impactful performance, anchoring the innings with a composed 54 off 52 balls to guide Pakistan to a competitive total. Thailand’s bowlers, led by Thipatcha Puttawong, mounted a ruthless attack, with Puttawong claiming a stunning 3/18, while Suleeporn Laomi’s impressive spell of 3/14 restricted Pakistan to a modest 119/9 after 20 overs. While chasing, Pakistan’s bowling attack showed great intensity, with the spinners leading the way. Sadia Iqbal claimed three wickets with a stunning spell, while Tuba Hassan took two. Fatima Sana and Nashra Sandhu added one wicket each as Pakistan kept taking wickets and prevented Thailand from building any momentum. Thailand managed just 84/8 after 20 overs, handing Pakistan a convincing 35-run victory.
The match began with Pakistan winning the toss and electing to bat first. They suffered an early setback, losing two wickets as Thipatcha Puttawong produced a stunning spell to dismiss Shawal Zulfiqar (1 off 5) and Gull Feroza for a duck, leaving Pakistan reeling at 7/2. With those wickets, Puttawong overtook Deepti Sharma on the list of the most successful wicket-takers in women’s T20Is. Ayesha Zafar (9 off 8) tried to provide some momentum with a couple of boundaries before losing her wicket, as Pakistan endured a difficult powerplay at 32/3. Muneeba Ali then calmly steadied the innings alongside Sadaf Shamas, guiding Pakistan to 60/3 after 10 overs. The pair stitched together a 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Suleepron Laomi struck twice in the same over, breaking the stand by dismissing Sadaf Shamas (20 off 20) and removing Fatima Sana for a duck. Muneeba brought up her superb half-century off 45 balls but was dismissed soon after, finishing with a composed and pivotal 54 off 52 balls that helped Pakistan post a competitive total. Laomi capped off an impressive spell with excellent figures of 3/14. Pakistan found some late momentum through Umm-e-Hani (17 off 15) and a fiery cameo from Tuba Hassan (12 off 4), helping them push past 110 and finish on 119/9 after 20 overs. Thipatcha Puttawong finished with impressive figures of 3/18, while Phannita Maya took two wickets and Sunida Chaturongratana claimed one.
Thailand, while chasing the modest target of 120, endured a disappointing start as Sadia Iqbal struck twice with a double-wicket maiden in her first over, removing Phannita Maya (4 off 5 balls) and Nannapat Koncharoenkai for a duck. Nattakan Chantam and Naruemol Chaiwai struggled to score, leaving Thailand at 22/2 in the powerplay. After the powerplay, Pakistan continued to pick up wickets, with Nattakan Chantam (14 off 27) being removed by Nashra Sandhu, leaving Thailand in trouble at 33/3 after 10 overs. With the required run rate climbing rapidly, Thailand’s batters struggled to find runs and maintain their rhythm. Tuba Hassan also struck twice, first removing captain Naruemol Chaiwai (17 off 33) before dismissing Aphisara Suwanchonrathi (13 off 18), who had tried to build a partnership with Chanida Sutthiruang (25 off 24). Sutthiruang was dismissed soon after by Sadia Iqbal, who completed her stunning three-wicket haul with figures of 3/11. After another wicket fell, Thailand needed 50 runs from 15 deliveries, with the required run rate climbing sharply. Thailand eventually finished on 84/8 after 20 overs, suffering their second loss as they concluded their group-stage campaign.
Muneeba Ali deservedly claimed the Player of the Match award for her outstanding 54 off 52 balls. Pakistan will now face their biggest rivals, India, in the highly anticipated fixture on Saturday, 5 September.
