The ACC Women’s Premier Cup 2024 is currently in the business stage of its proceedings. The semi-finals witnessed UAE edge out Thailand by a minuscule 4-run margin and Malaysia pulling off a major upset defeating Nepal.
The finals of ACC Women’s Premier Cup 2024 will now witness Malaysia and the UAE square off for ultimate honours.
Semi Final 1- UAE vs Thailand: UAE Won by 4 Runs
In a low-scoring affair, UAE edged out Thailand by a massive four-run win at Kuala Lumpur to make it to the tournament finals.
UAE won the toss and elected to bat first. Off to a sluggish start, skipper Esha Oza and Kavisha Egodage kickstarted the proceedings with patience and grit as the conditions challenged them. Their 34-run partnership came at the cost of a lot of dot balls which was far from ideal. Even as Esha Oza kept the innings afloat, quick wickets however proved to be a challenge as Theertha Satish, Khushi Sharma and Heena Hotchandani were dismissed without making much impact.
Eventually, it was skipper Oza’s knock of 14 coupled with Samaira Dharnidharka’s 13 to reach the score of 70/7 in the stipulated 20 overs. For Thailand, it was Thipatcha Putthawong’s and Aphisara Suwanchonrathi’s two wickets coupled with Chanida Sutthiruang’s one wicket that was instrumental in restricting UAE.
In the run-chase that followed, Nannapat Koncharoenkai and skipper Naruemol Chaiwai got off to a slow start and were dismissed cheaply for scores of 11 and 3 respectively. Even the subsequent dismissals of Natthakan Chantham, Nattaya Bootchatham and Chanida Sutthiruang for scores of 0 made it complicated.
With Suwanan Khiaoto and Thipatcha Putthawong further ensuring some resistance to the runchase sparking hope of a comeback, it was not enough as Vaishnave Mahesh and Heena Hotchandani got the better of them. With wickets falling consistently as Onnicha Kamchomphu, Rosenan Kanoh and Aphisara Suwanchonranthi were dismissed, it was Phannita Maya who stayed unbeaten for 10 as Thailand fell short of the target by a meagre 4 runs.
For the UAE, it was their bowling effort that salvaged the match as Heena Hotchandani stood out with four wickets, Vaishnave Mahesh scalped three with Kavisha Egodage and Suraksha Kotte pitched in with a wicket to ensure this win.
Against the odds, UAE clinched victory by 4 runs, securing their place in the ACC Women’s Premier Cup finals.#ACCWomensPremierCup #ACC pic.twitter.com/wGtt4TA89Y
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) February 16, 2024
Semi Final 2- Nepal vs Malaysia: Malaysia Won By 4 Wickets
Malaysia pulled off a spectacular win against Nepal to make it to the finals of the tournament. Batting first, Nepal posted 115/6 on the board with crucial knocks of 23 from Kabita Kunwar setting the tone and with skipper Indu Barma’s 29, Rubina Chhetry’s 20, Dolly Bhatta’s 25- Nepal had a commendable total on the board.
In the run-chase, it was Elsa Hunter who was instrumental in providing much-needed impetus with a blistering and unbeaten knock of 69 and with other contributions coming in, the total was chased down in 19.5 overs driving Malaysia to a memorable victory.
Malaysia triumphs by 4 wickets against Nepal in the 2nd semi-final, storming into the ACC Women’s Premier Cup finals with determination and flair. The stage is set for a thrilling finale as Malaysia aims to seize the championship title!#ACCWomensPremierCup #ACC pic.twitter.com/f9fX4Pc4lM
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) February 16, 2024
Click Here to get the latest news related to Women’s Cricket. You can also check about Match predictions here. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more updates.
