Dubai: India registered a comprehensive 94-run victory over Thailand in their opening match of the Asia Cup, overcoming a mid-innings collapse to secure the win. The match, held in Dubai, saw India, ranked third in the ICC Women's T20I Team Rankings, leverage their experience to overcome the 12th-ranked Thailand team.
According to International Cricket Council, India started strong, thanks to Shafali Verma's explosive 64 off 36 balls, which included eight fours and three sixes. However, the team faced a challenging period, losing eight wickets for just 46 runs. Thailand bowlers Suleeporn Laomi, Sunida Chaturongrattana, and Chanida Sutthiruang capitalized on India's stumble, with Laomi taking three wickets for 26 runs.
Despite the mid-innings struggle, India managed to post a total of 159/9. Reflecting on her performance, Shafali acknowledged her mistake during her dismissal and praised the Thai bowlers for their efforts. She emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions in Dubai, where India had previously played during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2024.
India's bowlers delivered a strong performance, with Deepti Sharma and Nandni Sharma taking three wickets each, effectively dismantling Thailand's batting lineup. Shafali expressed her satisfaction with the growth of women's cricket and lauded the Thai team's spirit, expressing hope for their continued improvement.
Thailand will face Pakistan next on September 1, while India is set to play against Hong Kong, China on September 3.