Pakistan Open Women's Asia Cup Against Thailand in Dubai

The Fixture in Dubai

Pakistan play their opening match of the Women's Asia Cup against Thailand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with a start time of 8pm Indian Standard Time. SportsAdda reports that the match comes four days after the tournament began, a consequence of a four-team group played over a single round of fixtures.

For Thailand it is the last group game. For Pakistan it is the first. By the end of the night, according to SportsAdda, Group A will be most of the way decided.

Pakistan are led by Fatima Sana, with Muneeba Ali opening the batting. Thailand are captained by Naruemol Chaiwai.

Group A Standings

Thailand have played twice. They beat Hong Kong by six runs on 28 August, defending 120 for 9, then lost to India on 30 August, bowled out for 65 while chasing 160. That leaves them with one win and a net run rate of minus 2.200.

SportsAdda reports that a Thailand win would take them to four points with India yet to finish their programme, putting them in a strong position for one of the two semi-final places. A defeat leaves them on two points, dependent on other results.

India have played once, winning by 94 runs, the largest runs margin of the tournament so far. Shafali Verma made 64 and Deepti Sharma took three wickets as Thailand were dismissed inside 17 overs. India top the group on a net run rate of plus 4.700.

Thailand's wicketkeeper Nannapat Koncharoenkai is the tournament's leading run scorer with 68 from two innings, 41 of them against India out of a team total of 65.

Pakistan's Preparation

Pakistan spinner Sadia Iqbal told The Express Tribune that the squad completed three training sessions and have adapted to conditions in Dubai. "Our preparations for the Women's Asia Cup are going very well," she said. "We are working hard on the areas where we felt we were lacking."

Iqbal said the team had played against the men's side during their training camp. "Playing with the boys gives you confidence," she said, adding that those matches helped identify weaknesses.

She expects the surfaces to suit her department. "Dubai pitches are helpful for spinners, and we have planned and prepared accordingly," she said. SportsAdda notes that Pakistan's 15-player squad carries three spin options in Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan.

What Follows

India play Hong Kong on 3 September and Pakistan on 5 September, both at 8pm IST. Hong Kong meet Pakistan on 7 September, closing out Group A.

SportsAdda reports that if Thailand reach four points, the 5 September fixture becomes considerably heavier for Pakistan, who would then need results elsewhere as well as a win over India. A Pakistan win in the opening match would leave them on two points with their fate largely in their own hands.

The semi-finals are scheduled for 10 and 11 September, with the final on 13 September. The sources do not state the result of the Pakistan versus Thailand match, or the composition of either playing eleven.