All-round Nattaya Boochatham helps Thailand to series-levelling win over Zimbabwe

Thailand drew level in the four-match one-day series against Zimbabwe by winning the second encounter by 22 runs at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare on Friday (August 20), thanks to an all-round effort from Nattaya Boochatham in the second game.



Opting to bat, Thailand lost Suleeporn Laomi, who was promoted to open, for six in the fourth over. Boochatham and Wongpaka Liengpresert, who had opened in the first one dayer, then proceeded to resurrect the innings. Keeping the Zimbabwe bowlers at bay, both Boochatham and Liengpresert struck half centuries. They added 98 runs for the second wicket in just over 17 overs, before Boochatham fell for 54 off 58 balls.



Liengpresert was soon run out for 51, leaving Thailand at three for 120. Nattakan Chantham then added 53 runs for the fourth wicket with Chanida Sutthiruang (25), before the latter’s dismissal. From four for 173, the tourists were reduced to seven for 198, thanks to Josephine Nkomo’s regular strikes. Nkomo also dismissed Chantham for 42 in the process.



However, captain Naruemol Chaiwai struck an unbeaten 28 to take Thailand to 229 for nine. Nkomo finished with five wickets for 35 runs while Nomvelu Sibanda picked up two wickets.



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Zimbabwe got off to a decent start in pursuit of 230. Ashley Ndiraya got off to a flier, before she fell for 31 that took just 26 balls coming. That also ended the opening stand for 44, which came at a run-a-ball. Boochatham, who broke the partnership, struck again after three balls, to get rid of Modester Mupachikwa for a duck. At the same score, Zimbabwe lost their third in the form of the other opener, Christabel Chatonzwa (11).



Then came the resistance from the hosts, with the skipper leading from the front. Mary-Anne Musonda got along with Nkomo to bring the chase back on track. The pair added 83 for the fourth wicket, with the captain Musonda scoring yet another half century. However, Nkomo fell for 38, which then began another procession of wickets.



Boochatham then dismissed Precious Marange (14), Musonda (50) and Loryn Phiri (13) to complete her five-wicket haul. Zimbabwe were kept to 207 for nine in their 50 overs.



Brief Scores: Thailand 229/9 in 50 overs (Nattaya Boochatham 54, Wongpaka Liengprasert 51; Josephine Nkomo 5/35) beat Zimbabwe 207/9 in 50 overs (Mary-Anne Musonda 50, Josephine Nkomo 38; Nattaya Boochatham 5/33) by 22 runs