NISSHIN - Pakistan survived a spirited challenge from Thailand to secure a three-wicket victory with two balls to spare in a rain-shortened second quarter-final of the Asian Games Women’s Cricket Competition at Korogi Athletic Park on Thursday.

Persistent rain delayed the start and reduced the match to an 11-over-a-side contest. Asked to bat first, Thailand posted 91 for four, with Nannapat Koncharoenkai leading the resistance with a fluent 49 off 38 balls, including seven fours. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana made an early breakthrough, removing Natthakan Chantham for six with the second ball of her opening over. However, Koncharoenkai and Phannita Maya steadied the innings with a 65-run second-wicket partnership.

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Maya contributed 15 off 16 balls before being recalled as part of a tactical move, while Thailand captain Naruemol Chaiwai provided a late flourish with 10 off just three deliveries, hitting a four and a six. Fatima Sana completed an impressive spell by dismissing Koncharoenkai leg-before wicket in the final over, finishing with two for 22 from her three overs. Nashra Sandhu also claimed a wicket.

Pakistan made a flying start to the chase as Shawaal Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza added 36 runs in 3.5 overs. Zulfiqar was particularly aggressive, smashing 25 off 14 balls with three fours and a six, while Feroza made 16 off 13. Thailand, however, fought back strongly, claiming four wickets for just 11 runs as Pakistan slipped to 47 for four by the end of the powerplay.

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Fatima Sana then revived the chase with an explosive 21 off 13 balls, striking three fours and a six. She and Eyman Fatima helped Pakistan collect 25 runs in one over, but Thailand responded by removing Fatima in the ninth over and Eyman and Tuba Hassan in the 10th.

Tuba, who scored 13 off seven balls with a four and six, kept Pakistan on course by reducing the target to four from the final over. Umm-e-Hani and Eman Naseer then held their nerve, taking four singles from as many deliveries. Umm-e-Hani scored the winning run to complete Pakistan’s tense victory. The two semifinals are scheduled for Sunday, September 20, at the same venue.

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BANGLADESH ADVANCE AFTER RAIN ABANDONS QUARTERFINAL

Bangladesh advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Games women’s cricket competition after their quarterfinal against China was abandoned without a ball being bowled at Korogi Sports Park on Thursday. Persistent rain left the outfield unplayable, forcing officials to call off the match without even a toss. Bangladesh progressed on the basis of their higher seeding. They will face the winners of the India-Japan quarterfinal in the semifinal on September 20.

TYPHOON THREAT ADDS FRESH CHALLENGE FOR ASIAN GAMES ORGANISERS

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Asian Games organisers are facing a fresh weather challenge as a typhoon threatens Japan just days after record rainfall disrupted preparations for the continental sporting extravaganza. More than 17,000 athletes and officials are arriving in Nagoya and Aichi for the Games, with around 4,000 participants accommodated aboard the cruise ship Costa Serena in Nagoya port. Forecasters have warned that the typhoon could reach Japan’s main island on Sunday or Monday, potentially forcing the ship to move or be evacuated if conditions deteriorate.

The warning comes after Nagoya received around 104mm of rain in a single hour last week, triggering evacuation orders in parts of the city and causing water to enter several sporting venues. The extreme weather has already disrupted competition, with the women’s cricket quarter-final between Bangladesh and China abandoned without a ball being bowled because of a wet outfield. Japan’s September and October typhoon season adds to concerns over possible disruption to the Games, which officially open on Saturday.

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PAKISTAN 92-7, 10.4 overs (Shawaal Zulfiqar 25, Fatima Sana 21; Onnicha Kamchomphu 3-37, Sunida Chaturongrattana 2-23) beat THAILAND 91-4, 11 overs (Nannapat Koncharoenkai 49; Fatima Sana 2-22) 3 wickets.