Pakistan Women Reach Asian Games Semi-Finals After Close Win Over Thailand

Pakistan Women have secured a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 Asian Games cricket competition after beating Thailand by three wickets in a rain-affected quarter-final in Japan on September 17.

It was not an easy win for Pakistan. Rain delayed the match and reduced the game to just 11 overs per side, making every over important.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first.. Thailand scored 91 runs for four wickets, with Nannapat Koncharoenkai playing the key innings for her side. She scored 49 from 38 balls and kept Thailand in a strong position despite the shortened match.

Fatima Sana Makes an Impact

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana played an important role with both bat and ball.

With the ball, she took 2 wickets for 22 runs from three overs, including the dismissal of Koncharoenkai just one run short of her half-century.

Pakistan then needed 92 runs to win.

The chase started well, with Shawaal Zulfiqar scoring 25 from 14 balls and helping Pakistan reach 36 without losing a wicket.

But the situation changed quickly.

Thailand took four Pakistani wickets for just 11 runs, leaving Pakistan at 47 for four and suddenly under serious pressure.

Pakistan Fight Back

With the chase becoming difficult, Fatima Sana stepped up with the bat.

She scored 21 runs from 13 balls, including three fours and a six. A crucial 25-run over brought Pakistan back into the contest and reduced the pressure on the middle order.

Fatima was dismissed soon afterwards, but Pakistan still had work to do.

Tuba Hassan then produced an important late contribution, hitting a six and a four to bring the target within reach.

Pakistan eventually reached 92 for seven in 10.4 overs, winning the match with two balls remaining.

A Nervous Finish for Pakistan

The final few overs made the match much closer than Pakistan would have wanted.

After Tuba Hassan's late boundaries, Pakistan needed only four runs from the final over.

Umm-e-Hani and Eman Naseer kept things simple, taking four singles from four deliveries to complete the chase.

The victory gave Pakistan a three-wicket win and a place in the last four.

What Happens Next?

Pakistan will now play in the semi-final on September 20 at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture. According to the ICC, Pakistan will face Sri Lanka, who defeated Malaysia in their quarter-final.

Pakistan have a strong history in Asian Games women's cricket, having won gold medals in 2010 and 2014. They will now be looking to reach the final and continue that record in the 2026 competition.

For now, the biggest takeaway is simple: Pakistan survived a difficult quarter-final, handled the pressure at the end and kept their medal hopes alive.

The semi-final on September 20 will provide a much bigger test.

Match at a Glance

Thailand: 91/4 in 11 overs
Pakistan: 92/7 in 10.4 overs
Result: Pakistan won by 3 wickets
Top Thailand batter: Nannapat Koncharoenkai, 49
Pakistan key performers: Fatima Sana, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan
Next match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, September 20