Pakistan Women secured a crucial 35-run victory against Thailand Women in Match 5 of Group A at the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Driven by an anchor innings from player of the match Muneeba Ali and a disciplined bowling performance led by Sadia Iqbal, Pakistan successfully defended a modest target of 120.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Pakistan got off to a mixed start. While opener Muneeba Ali held one end together with composure, the top and middle order struggled to build significant partnerships against Thailand’s disciplined bowling attack. They lost the wickets of the Shawaal Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza in the second over and once Ayesha Zafar was dismissed for 9 Pakistan was in a spot of bother with the score on 23/3 in the fifth over. a steady 54 runs partnership between Muneeba and Sadaf Shams brought the innings back on track. Muneeba top-scored with a solid 54 off 52 balls, hitting four boundaries. Contributions lower down the order from Sadaf (20 off 20) and Umme Hani (17 off 15) helped push Pakistan past the 100-run mark. Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong and Suleeporn Laomi were the standout bowlers, picking up three wickets apiece while conceding under four runs per over, restricting Pakistan to 119/9 in their allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Thailand’s chase faltered early under persistent pressure from Pakistan’s spin bowling group. Sadia Iqbal led the attack brilliantly, taking 3 wickets for just 11 runs in her 4 overs, including a maiden over. Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu provided exceptional control, returning figures of 1 for 6 from her 4 overs, while leg-spinner Tuba Hassan chipped in with 2 for 17. Together they picked up a sensational 6 wickets by conceding just 34 runs in 12 overs.

Thailand found run-scoring difficult throughout their innings, with Chanida Sutthiruang top-scoring with 25 off 24 balls and captain Naruemol Chaiwai adding 17 off 33. Unable to break free from the suffocating bowling, Thailand was restricted to 84/8 in 20 overs, handing Pakistan a comfortable victory to boost their standings in Group A.

With this loss, Thailand Women finished the group stage with one win and two points from three matches. Their chances of reaching the knockouts remain slim, as they would need an unlikely set of results, including help from Hong Kong China, to climb to second place in Group A.

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