THAILAND LOSE NARROWLY TO SAUDI ARABIA TO FINISH PROMISING CAMPAIGN

 THAILAND LOSE NARROWLY TO SAUDI ARABIA TO FINISH PROMISING CAMPAIGN

Thailand lost to Saudi Arabia by five wickets in their final match of the ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier B but the match was competitive throughout as Thailand reached 133 for 7 in their 20 overs as Akshaykumar Yadav made 60 in 51 balls with 7 fours and a six and Austin Lazarus made 35 from 25 balls with 5 fours and a six.

Saudi Arabia have a powerful batting attack but they were restricted by Thailand’s two left-arm spinners Nopphon Senamontree and Sarawut Maliwan who each took two wickets and Thailand had a chance of victory right until the final stages of the contest. Saudi Arabia won with eight balls to spare to maintain their challenge but Thailand finished on six points with three wins and three defeats in their six matches.

Saudi Arabia needed to beat Qatar on the final day of the competition to qualify for the regional final but the host country chased down their target to finish in second place behind United Arab Emirates who won all six of their matches.

Thailand finished in fifth place but were one of three teams on six points and could be pleased with their performances in Qatar as two of their defeats came in close contests and they were outclassed only by UAE who were by far the best team.