A stellar, all-round performance by Ireland, saw them book their place in the Group B semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, with an unequivocal win over Vanuatu under the Tolerance Oval lights. In the second match at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Thailand overwhelmed the United States of America (USA) to further improve their chances of making it to the Group A semi-finals.

Both Ireland and Thailand secured remarkable, nine-wicket victories, setting them apart in their respective groups. Ireland’s was their third, consecutive win in the tournament so far, placing them firmly in the lead of Group B.

In Group A, Thailand have bounced back superbly from their tournament-opening defeat against Sri Lanka with this second successive win, and now aim to beat Scotland in their final group fixture on Friday, a match that will decide who will join Sri Lanka in the semi-finals from Group A.

Vanuatu vs Ireland

Vanuatu were asked to bat first by Ireland and were in a reasonable position, at 58 for 1 in 11.2 overs, before losing the wicket of their top scorer for the night, Valenta Langiatu (27 off 31, four fours).

Langiatu’s wicket derailed their efforts with the bat as the middle and lower orders succumbed to Ireland’s disciplined bowling. Other than the 49-run, second-wicket stand between Langiatu and Nasimana Navaika (19), Vanuatu had little to show with the bat as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.

Amid the constant loss of wickets, the Vanuatu batters failed to make runs at a the rate they needed to. Twenty runs were added in the last six overs, with only a single boundary hit, a total of six wickets were lost in that period, going from 68/3 (14 overs), Vanuatu staggered to finish their innings at 88 for nine.

Eimear Richardson produced a brilliant bowling spell, her off-breaks earning her three wickets for eight runs in four overs, she was later named Player of the Match for her efforts. Captain, Laura Delany and Arlene Kelly took two wickets each.

In reply, the prolific Irish opening pair of Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter provided their side an 82-run stand, following their match-winning, 130-run partnership in the win against Zimbabwe over the weekend. Today, Lewis scored 45 from 36 balls with the help of eight fours.

Hunter remained unbeaten on a run-a-ball 34 which included two fours. The pair are now at the top of the tournament’s run-scorers list. Lewis has a tally of 141 runs from three innings at an average of 47 – the most runs in the tournament – while Hunter is in second place with 130 runs in three innings at 65 runs an innings.

Thailand vs USA

For the second, consecutive match, Thailand’s bowlers proved their captain’s decision to bowl first, right. USA’s batters remained on the back foot through out their innings. The start was disastrous, seeing opener, Disha Dhingra bowled for a first ball duck by Chanida Sutthiruang. None of the top, middle or lower order batters made an impression as Thailand bowlers made regular inroads.

USA had crashed to 36 for nine in 10.5 overs when Saanvi Immadi joined Isani Vaghela. The two absorbed the pressure in the initial stages of their partnership, with Immadi blocking her end with three off 25. She eventually fell to Suleeporn Laomi. Before her dismissal, Immadi helped Vaghela take the team past the 50-run mark. The 18-run, final-wicket stand was the best partnership of the innings. Vaghela top-scored for her side with 15 not out.

Left-arm spinner and Player of the Match, Thipatcha Putthawong, was the pick of the bowlers for Thailand with four wickets for 12 runs in four overs. Onnicha Kamchomphu and Chanida Sutthiruang took two wickets apiece.

In reply, Thailand lost opener Nattaya Boochatham to the first ball of the innings, Geetika Kodali going through her defences. Wicketkeeper-batter, Nannapat Koncharoenkai and captain Naruemol Chaiwai then batted with renewed focus and responsibility, ensuring that their team reached its target without any further damage.

Koncharoenkai hit five fours in her undefeated 26-ball 31. Chaiwai provided a steady hand, scoring 19 from 30 balls (two fours). Thailand chased down the target in 9.2 overs.

Scores in brief:

Match 15:

Ireland beat Vanuatu by nine wickets

Vanuatu 88 for 9 in 20 overs (Valenta Langiatu 27, Nasimana Navaika 19; Eimear Richardson 3-8, Laura Delany 2-10, Arlene Kelly 2-15)

Ireland 89 for 1 in  12.3 overs (Gaby Lewis 45, Amy Hunter 34 not out; Nasimana Navaika 1-12)

Player of the Match – Eimear Richardson

Match 16:

Thailand beat USA by nine wickets

USA  54 all out in17.5 overs (Isani Vaghela 15 not out, Pooja Ganesh 13; Thipatcha Putthawong 4-12, Onnicha Kamchomphu 2-4, Chanida Sutthiruang 2-15)

Thailand 56 for 1 in 9.2 overs (Nannapat Koncharoenkai 31 not out, Naruemol Chaiwai 19 not out; Geetika Kodali 1-13)

Player of the Match – Thipatcha Putthawong

(ICC)