CHIANG MAI : It was a historic day for Thailand at the Royal Chiang Mai cricket ground yesterday as they beat China by 17 runs in the final of the ACC Women's Championship.
It means they progress to the next round, to be played in Ireland in August, where a top-two finish would allow them to qualify for the next Women's World Twenty20.
At the start of the day, it all seemed highly unlikely as an overnight storm had swept across Chiang Mai and the match had to be moved from Prem Oval to the new ground at Royal Chiang Mai, which proved a fitting stage with a large and enthusiastic crowd in attendance.
Thailand were asked to bat first and were struggling against a testing Chinese bowling attack when captain Sornnarin Tippoch was joined by Chanida Sutthiruang, and a precarious position of 46-5 was converted into a more than useful total of 95-6 at the close of their innings.
Sornnarin made an unbeaten 28 and Chanida contributed 17 to a partnership of 40 in six overs.
Chanida then dismissed both the Chinese openers in her first over. Two down without a run on the board soon became 5-5, dooming the Chinese, who were previously unbeaten in the tournament after six matches.
Huang Zhuo did her best until she was out for 30 in the last over, Thailand prevailing after China were bowled out for 78.