Tournament Preview: ICC World Cup Asia Qualifier 2019

Maithilee Shetty

17 Feb 2019

New Update

Thailand Preview: Defeated Sri Lanka, time for the WT20 Qualifiers — Thailand celebrate a wicket. ©ACC

Tournament Dates: 18-27 February 2019

Venue: Terdthai Cricket Ground and the Asian Institute Technology Ground in Bangkok

ICC Women’s Qualifier Asia begins regionally between seven teams as China, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand and the UAE are competing to secure a place in the global qualifiers. Thailand will host the Asia Qualifiers between 18 and 27 February across Terdthai Cricket Ground and the Asian Institute Technology Ground in Bangkok. Teams also need to keep an eye on their T20 Team Rankings, as 21 Women’s T20Is will be played.

Also: Thailand to host the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers Asia

During the Thailand T20 Smash held in January, Thailand and Nepal came victorious on the top of the table, winning all four of their matches and attaining convincing victories in the semi-finals. Thaliand won the final against Nepal by 70 runs. Thailand will hope to continue their run of success in the Asia Qualifiers.

Suleeporn Laomi of Thailand topped the bowling chart with 12 wickets. Nattaya Boochatham was second on the bowling chart for her 11 wickets. She also was among the wickets in the Asia Cup in 2018. Nattakan Chantam of Thailand who scored 162 was the runner-up on the batting charts. Naruemol Chaiwai made it to the 3rd position on the charts.

UAE also had a good run in T20 Smash, as the only match they lost was to Nepal. UAE batter, Esha Oza was the leading run-getter scoring 207 runs across 5 matches.

Players to watch out for:

Esha Oza, UAE: The 20 year old batter has scored 268 runs across 10 matches with a strike rate of 101.87. She also has 4 wickets to her name. During the T20 Smash, she scored a blazing 82 against China.

Suleeporn Laomi, Thailand: Thailand’s leading wicket-taker in the T20 Smash. She has picked up 18 wickets across 16 T20Is. Her team would be hoping she doesn’t disappoint in this series.

Mas Elysa, Malaysia: The 17 year old bowler picked up 7 wickets in across 4 matches. She removed 6 China batters in a match to make her career best of 6/3.

ICC ODI Rankings-

Thailand is on 12th position

UAE is on 14th position

Nepal is on 16th position

Hong Kong is on 22nd position

China is on 25th position

Malaysia is on 32nd position

Kuwait isn’t in the top 50

Captain Quotes:

“With that being said we are working hard at our game and committed to being considered as a top quality side. Cricket is a beautiful game, the sport has opened up a lot of opportunities for me and helped me grow as an athlete and as a human being.”- Thailand captain, Sornnarin Tippoch

“I personally feel very privileged to be able to lead Kuwait, at such a grand event. Women cricketers in Kuwait have a lot of potential and talent, tournaments like this will definitely support us and spark our ambition to get better.” - Kuwait captain, Maryam Omar

Fixtures:

Matches	Dates
Thailand vs China; Kuwait vs Malaysia; Hongkong vs UAE	18.02.19
Malaysia vs Nepal; China vs Hongkong; Kuwait vs UAE	19.02.19
Malaysia vs UAE; Thailand vs Nepal; China vs Kuwait	21.02.19
Nepal vs UAE; Thailand vs Hongkong; China vs Malaysia	22.02.19
China vs UAE; Thailand vs Kuwait; Hongkong vs Nepal	24.02.19
Thailand vs Malaysia; China vs Nepal; Kuwait vs Hongkong	25.02.19
Hongkong vs Malaysia; Kuwait vs Nepal; Thailand vs UAE	27.02.19

UAE Suleeporn Laomi Malaysia Thailand Esha Oza China Hong Kong nepal Kuwait