SYDNEY: South Africa will face defending champions Australia in the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals after their match against the West Indies was washed out on Tuesday, leaving India to take on England.
The Proteas needed to avoid defeat against the already-eliminated West Indies to top Group ‘B’ and with the match in Sydney abandoned without a ball being bowled, they earned a point to ensure that happened.
South Africa have never beaten four-time champions Australia, who suffered a big blow on Tuesday with star all-rounder Ellyse Perry ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury.
“What better way to do it [beat Australia] than in a World Cup semi-final. We’re not used to the bigger-stage games, but hopefully everything comes together for us,” she added ahead of the match in Sydney on Thursday.
Group ‘B’ runners-up England, the 2009 champions, play unbeaten Group ‘A’ winners India on the same day.
Pakistan-Thailand game marred by rain
Earlier on Tuesday, qualifiers Thailand ended their inaugural T20 World Cup on a high, posting their biggest ever T20 International score before the heavens opened and their clash with Pakistan was also called off.
They had lost all three of their previous games, with a highest total of 82.
But, after winning the toss at Sydney Showground, they stunned Pakistan with their aggressive batting approach, racing to 150 for three off 20 overs.
Pakistan, who upset 2016 champions West Indies in their opening game before losing the next two, would have needed their record run chase to win but didn’t face a ball.
“The openers were positive and aggressive and they did very well,” said Thai captain Sornnarin Tippoch. “We had an opportunity to come here and play against the big teams. I think it is good for us. We want to keep doing well. People at home will be happy, same as us. They will be cheering.”
Natthakan Chantam and Nattaya Boochatham posted the second highest opening partnership of the tournament, 93, before Boochatham fell for 44.
Chantam made 56 with some late big-hitting from Nannapat Khoncharoenkai and Chanida Sutthiruang ensuring Thailand passed their previous record of 133 for eight recorded against the Netherlands last year.
“It gave us the lesson that during cricket no team is bigger or smaller, you have to be on your toes every time,” said Pakistan skipper Javeria Khan, adding that overall the tournament had been positive for her team.
“We’ll walk away with our heads held high and our girls played some good cricket.”
Scoreboard
THAILAND:
N. Chantam c and b Diana 56
N. Boochatham c Aliya b Anam 44
C. Sutthiruang b Nida 20
N. Koncharoenkai not out 20
O. Kamchomphu not out 2
EXTRAS (LB-3, W-5) 8
TOTAL (for three wkts, 20 overs) 150
FALL OF WKTS:1-93, 2-115, 3-148.
DID NOT BAT: N. Chaiwai,
S. Tippoch, W. Liengprasert,
R. Padunglerd, S. Laomi, S. Lateh
BOWLING: Diana Baig 4-0-21-1 (2w); Anam Amin 4-0-40-1 (2w); Aliya Riaz 2-0-24-0(1w); Nida Dar 4-0-17-1; Aroob Shah 3-0-25-0; Umaima Sohail 3-0-20-0
PAKISTAN: Muneeba Ali, Javeria Wadood Khan, Ayesha Naseem, Umaima Sohail, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Iram Javed, Sidra Nawaz, Diana Baig, Aroob Shah, Anam Amin
RESULT: Match abandoned.
UMPIRES: C.M. Brown (New Zealand) and C.A. Polosak (Australia)
TV UMPIRE: J.M. Williams (West Indies)
MATCH REFEREE: S.R. Bernard (Australia)
