Thailand and China both made it four wins out of four in the ACC Women’s Premier competition which is being played in Chiang Mai as Thailand beat Iran by 165 runs at Prem and China defeated Nepal by 69 runs at Gymkhana. This means the two sides who last met in the final of the ACC Women’s Championship in 2013 will face each other to decide the winners of this competition. Thailand beat China by 17 runs to win the 25-over competition and it will be a great achievement if the Thai girls can repeat the feat in 40-over cricket.
Thailand proved their superiority over Iran as they scored 219 for 4 in 40 overs thanks to a hard hitting 61 from Chanida Sutthiruang who hit 10 fours after being promoted to open and Sornnarin Tippoch and Sirintra Saengsakaorat later shared an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 115 as the captain top scored with 64*.
After looking quite comfortable against the medium pace bowlers Iran’s batting line-up was all at sea against Thailand’s spinners as Sornnarin took five for 13 with her off-spin and young Suleeporn Laomi claimed 3 for 8 with her leg-spin as Iran were bowled out for 54.
Sornnarin was named player of the match for an outstanding all-round performance but Thailand will face much stronger opponents in China who also gained their fourth victory by holding Nepal after scoring 159 for 8 in their 40 overs and bowling out the opposition for 90, as leg-spinner Han Lili took 3 for 21 and fast bowler Yu Miao 3 for 22.
Nepal face Hong Kong at Prrem and Bhutan play Iran at Royals on Monday, and the competition has saved the best for last as Thailand meet China at Royals on Tuesday to decide the first winners of the ACC Women’s Premier.