Thailand Women vs Nepal Women: Thrilling T20 Clashes in Tri-Series and Asia Qualifier 2025
The Thailand Women’s cricket team continued to demonstrate their growing prowess in international women’s cricket with back-to-back impressive performances against Nepal Women. In two intense showdowns — one during the Nepal Women’s T20I Tri-Series 2024-25 and the other in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025 — Thailand maintained their dominance, securing crucial wins in both fixtures.
Match 1: Nepal Women’s T20I Tri-Series 2024-25 – A Gritty Five-Run Win
Held on February 4, 2025, at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, the sixth match of the tri-series between Thailand and Nepal turned out to be a low-scoring but thrilling contest. Winning the toss, Thailand opted to bat first. They faced early trouble as Nepal’s bowling attack, led by Manisha Upadhayay, rocked their top and middle order. Thailand found themselves in a precarious situation at 34/5.
However, the experience and calmness of Chanida Sutthiruang and Thipatcha Putthawong turned the tide. The duo stitched together a crucial 50-run partnership that helped Thailand recover from the early collapse. Chanida played a composed knock of 27 not out off 28 balls, while Thipatcha supported her with an unbeaten 25 from 31 balls. Their partnership propelled Thailand to a modest but defendable total of 106/6 in 20 overs.
Nepal’s bowling effort was commendable, with Upadhayay shining through with 3 wickets for just 18 runs in her four overs. Despite keeping Thailand under pressure for much of the innings, Nepal couldn’t prevent the late recovery that ultimately proved pivotal.
In response, Nepal’s batting lineup faltered early. The home team lost four wickets inside the powerplay and was reduced to 14/4 in the first six overs. Thailand’s bowlers, especially Thipatcha Putthawong, maintained tight lines and lengths, choking the run flow and increasing pressure on the batters.
Rubina Chhetry (26 off 30) and Kabita Joshi (24 off 20) mounted a middle-order resistance. Their 44-run partnership gave Nepal hope, but once Thipatcha returned to dismiss both set batters, the innings unraveled quickly. She ended with match-winning figures of 4/10 in her four overs and was rightfully named the Player of the Match.
Nepal eventually fell short, finishing at 101/8, thus handing Thailand a hard-fought victory by five runs. The result reinforced Thailand’s position at the top of the tri-series standings and extended their impressive run in the format.
Match 2: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025 – Another Strong Start
The two sides locked horns again in the Super Three stage of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, where Thailand once again started strong. As of the latest update (May 20, 2025), Thailand reached 41/0 in 7 overs, setting up a promising foundation.
Opening batters Nattaya Boochatham (18*) and Aphisara Suwanchonrathi (16*) looked solid, taking on the Nepalese bowlers with caution and timely aggression. Thailand’s steady top-order start was a continuation of their composed batting performances seen earlier in the year. With players like Chanida and Thipatcha in the lineup, Thailand look poised to post a competitive total and continue their successful campaign in the qualifiers.
Thailand’s Rising Strength and Nepal’s Road Ahead
Thailand Women’s team has increasingly become a force to reckon with in Asian women’s cricket. Their blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talent gives them an edge in close contests. Players like Thipatcha Putthawong, who contribute significantly with both bat and ball, are central to their success.
For Nepal, while the losses have been narrow, they have shown moments of brilliance — especially through bowlers like Upadhayay and middle-order batters like Rubina Chhetry. However, their top-order inconsistency and inability to build partnerships under pressure remain concerns they must address going forward.
Conclusion
The back-to-back encounters between Thailand Women and Nepal Women have delivered high drama and competitive cricket. Thailand’s clinical execution in pressure moments has seen them emerge victorious on both occasions. As the qualifiers unfold, both teams will look to capitalize on their strengths — Thailand aiming to secure a World Cup berth, and Nepal striving to learn from close losses and bounce back stronger.
These contests not only highlight the growing competitiveness of women’s cricket in Asia but also underscore the progress and potential of both teams as they continue their journey on the international stage.
