Women's T20 Asia Cup: Muneeba's 54 fires Pakistan to 35-run win over Thailand
Synopsis
Pakistan Women made a composed if unspectacular start to the ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup, with Muneeba Ali's fourth T20I fifty and Sadia Iqbal's clinical 3/11 doing the heavy lifting in a 35-run win over Thailand. The bigger challenge arrives Saturday — a group clash against India at the same Dubai venue.
Key Takeaways
Pakistan Women defeated Thailand Women by 35 runs in the ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup 2024 opener on 1 September in Dubai .
Muneeba Ali top-scored with 54 off 52 balls — her fourth T20I half-century — as Pakistan posted 119/9 .
Sadia Iqbal claimed 3 for 11 in four overs, including a double-wicket maiden in the second over, to wreck Thailand's chase.
Nashra Sundhu (1 wicket, 6 runs in 4 overs) and Tuba Hassan (2/17) provided strong spin support.
Thailand were bowled out for 84/8 , with Chanida Sutthiruang's 25 the top score.
Pakistan face India Women in their next group match on Saturday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium .
Muneeba Ali's 54 off 52 balls and Sadia Iqbal's three-wicket haul powered Pakistan Women to a 35-run victory over Thailand Women in their opening group match of the ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup 2024 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, 1 September. The win gave Pakistan a confident start in the eight-team tournament, despite posting a modest first-innings total.
Pakistan's Batting: Muneeba Anchors a Modest Total
Electing to bat first, Pakistan were never entirely fluent but found an anchor in opening batter Muneeba Ali, who struck her fourth T20I half-century — 54 off 52 balls featuring four boundaries. Sadaf Shamas chipped in with a run-a-ball 20, sharing a 54-run fourth-wicket stand with Muneeba that proved critical in steadying the innings.
Pakistan ultimately finished at 119/9 in their 20 overs — a total that looked under par on a Dubai surface that has historically favoured batters. Thailand's Suleeporn Laomi and Thipatcha Putthawong were the pick of the bowling attack, claiming three wickets each.
Sadia Iqbal Dismantles Thailand's Chase
Chasing 120 to win, Thailand's innings unravelled almost immediately. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal struck twice in the second over — a double-wicket maiden that left Thailand reeling at 6/2. She returned in the final over to bag her third scalp, finishing with outstanding figures of 3 for 11 in 4 overs.
Fellow left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu was the most miserly of Pakistan's bowlers, conceding just six runs in four overs while also claiming one wicket. Right-arm leg-spinner Tuba Hassan added further pressure with 2 for 17 from her four-over spell. Thailand were ultimately restricted to 84/8 in 20 overs, with Chanida Sutthiruang's 25 the only innings of note.
Pakistan's Spin Web Proves Decisive
The match underscored Pakistan's reliance on spin — three of their four wicket-takers were spinners, and the collective economy rate was exceptional on a day when Thailand's batters struggled to read the variations. Notably, this is a familiar template for Pakistan Women: build a modest total, then suffocate the opposition through disciplined slow bowling.
The margin of victory — 35 runs — flatters Pakistan somewhat, given that Thailand were never truly competitive after the second over. The real test of Pakistan's credentials comes next.
What's Next: Pakistan vs India on Saturday
Pakistan will face their fiercest regional rivals, India Women, in their second group stage match on Saturday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. That fixture is widely expected to be the group's marquee contest and will offer a sharper gauge of Pakistan's title ambitions in this edition of the Asia Cup.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 119/9 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 54, Sadaf Shamas 20; Suleeporn Laomi 3-14, Thipatcha Putthawong 3-18, Phannita Maya 2-34) beat Thailand 84/8 in 20 overs (Chanida Sutthiruang 25; Sadia Iqbal 3-11, Tuba Hassan 2-17) by 35 runs.
Point of View
And Thailand's batting lineup was never likely to mount a serious chase. The real story is Sadia Iqbal's control: 3/11 in four overs, including a match-turning second-over burst, signals that Pakistan's spin attack is in good rhythm. But the India fixture on Saturday will be a far sterner examination — and Pakistan's batting fragility, exposed even against Thailand's modest attack, could prove costly against a stronger bowling unit.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Pakistan vs Thailand match in the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2024?
Pakistan Women won by 35 runs, restricting Thailand to 84/8 after posting 119/9. The match was played on 1 September at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
How did Muneeba Ali perform in the Asia Cup opener?
Muneeba Ali scored 54 off 52 balls, including four boundaries, marking her fourth T20I half-century. She was Pakistan's top run-scorer and shared a 54-run fourth-wicket partnership with Sadaf Shamas.
What were Sadia Iqbal's bowling figures against Thailand?
Sadia Iqbal took 3 wickets for 11 runs in 4 overs, including a double-wicket maiden in the second over. She returned in the final over to claim her third wicket.
When do Pakistan Women play India Women in the Asia Cup 2024?
Pakistan Women face India Women on Saturday in their second group match of the ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup, also at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Which bowlers took wickets for Thailand against Pakistan?
Suleeporn Laomi and Thipatcha Putthawong each took three wickets for Thailand, while Phannita Maya claimed two wickets as Pakistan were restricted to 119/9.
