Pakistan made a nervous start to their ACC Women’s Asia Cup campaign, beating Thailand by 35 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Pakistan slipped to six for two inside two overs and finished the PowerPlay at 28 for three before recovering through a 54-run fourth-wicket partnership between Muneeba Ali and Sadaf Shamas to reach 119 for nine.

In reply, Pakistan, led by the returning Sadia Iqbal, restricted inexperienced Thailand to 84 for eight after they had struggled to 33 for three at the halfway stage.

Left-arm spinner Sadia finished with three for 11, while fellow left-armer Nashra Sundhu took one for six. Nashra’s figures could have been even more impressive had the boundary-riders held on to a few half-chances.

Wrist-spinner Tuba Hassan also impressed, following up her four-ball 12 not out with two for 17. Captain Fatima Sana, who was dismissed for a two-ball duck, took one for 22.

Earlier, opener Muneeba Ali struck her fourth career half-century in her 98th T20I before becoming the sixth Pakistan batter dismissed at 90 in the 17th over. Muneeba scored 54 from 52 balls, hitting four fours.

Sadaf Shamas contributed a run-a-ball 20 with two fours, while Umm-e-Hani’s 15-ball 17 and Tuba’s four-ball 12 not out helped Pakistan collect 29 runs from the final three overs.

Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong took three for 18 and, in the process, became the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20Is with 173 wickets, moving ahead of India’s Deepti Sharma, who has 171. Suleeporn Laomi claimed three for 14, while Phannita Maya took two for 34.

Pakistan will face India on Saturday in their second Group A fixture. India also defeated Thailand in their opening match, winning by 94 runs, while Thailand had beaten Hong Kong by six runs in the tournament opener.

The top two teams from Group A will qualify for the semi-finals. Group B comprises Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates, with the top two also advancing to the knockout stage, which will be played on September 10 and 11.

Scores in brief

Match 5 (Group A) – Pakistan beat Thailand by 35 runs, DISC, Dubai

Pakistan 119-9, 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 54, Sadaf Shamas 20, Umm-e-Hani 17, Tuba Hassan 12 not out; Suleeporn Laomi 3-14, Thipatcha Putthawong 3-18, Phannita Maya 2-34)

Thailand 84-8, 20 overs (Chanida Sutthiruang 25, Naruemol Chaiwai 17, Natthakan Chantham 14; Sadia Iqbal 3-11, Tuba Hassan 2-17)

ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2026 results

Match 1 (Group A) – Thailand beat Hong Kong by six runs
Match 2 (Group B) – Sri Lanka beat UAE by nine wickets
Match 3 (Group A) – India beat Thailand by 94 runs
Match 4 (Group B) – Bangladesh beat Indonesia by 71 runs