Dubai: The UAE women’s cricket team got off to a winning start in the ICC Women’s T20 Asia qualifiers in Thailand when they defeated China by 16 runs.
It was their first victory ever in an official ICC cricket tournament.
Though the match was reduced to five overs per side due to rain, the UAE posted 41 for one in the five overs through Esha Oza’s 14 runs with two boundaries before she was stumped. Udeni Dona went on to hit an unbeaten 19 with two boundaries and Nisha Ali was unbeaten on two, ensured a fighting total.
UAE bowled tightly through Roopa Nagraj who clean-bowled opener Liu Xionan for one. Subha Venkataraman then had C. Zhou caught by Dona for 10. China could muster only 24 for 2 wickets in the five overs.
However, the UAE lost the second match to hosts Thailand in another rain curtailed match. The UAE, batting first, posted 34 for 5 in the allotted nine overs. Dona top-scored with 14 runs. Thailand openers N. Chantam (21 n.o) and her partner N. Chaiwai (11 n.o.) ensured victory in 5.1 overs.
The UAE will next play Nepal on Thursday.
The top two placed teams from this tournament can get to play in the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier. Regional qualifying events have already been held for East Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe and the Americas, so six teams will be taking part in the main ICC Qualifier which will be held in Netherlands in June.
In the Sharjah T-20 Bash being held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Bukhatir XI registered their second victory beating Sharjah Cricket Club by five wickets. Bukhatir team won through C.P. Rizwan’s allround show. He took two wickets and hit 21 runs.
