Natthakan Chantham struck a career-best 65-ball 88 not out to help Thailand Women beat Zimbabwe Women by 53 runs in the second T20I at Takashinga Sports Club, Harare.
Chantham’s blistering knock took Thailand to 154/3 after they opted to bat. Nattaya Boochatham (4-16) then ran through Zimbabwe batters bowl them out for 101 in 19.3 overs to level the three-match series 1-1.
Earlier, Boochatham (24 in 16 balls) and Chantham gave Thailand added 44 in 39 balls for the opening wicket before Audrey Mazvishaya got Boochatham to give Zimbabwe the much-needed breakthrough.
Nannapat Koncharoenkai (13 in 19), who hit a 53-ball 62 not out in the previous match, made little impact this time. Loren Tshuma (2-27) sent her back in the 13th over. Chanida Sutthiruang (3) did not last long either as Thailand were 101/3 in 14.4 overs.
Despite losing wickets from the other end, Chantham did not lose her rhythm. She brought up her fourth T20I fifty with a six over long off, off Nomvelo Sibanda (0-26), and shared an unbroken 53-run fourth-wicket stand with Naruemol Chaiwai (20* in 15) to guide Thailand to their highest ever T20I total. Their previous best, 150/3, came against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup last year.
Coming to the chase, Zimbabwe failed to capitalise on the Powerplay. They lost Ashley Ndiraya (1) to Ratanaporn Padunglerd (1-17) in the second over. Boochatham then got Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (5) and Mary-Anne Musonda in successive balls. Zimbabwe were left reeling on 23/3 in 4.4 overs.
Precious Marange (30 in 29) kept the scoreboard ticking, adding 25 with Modester Mupachikwa (18) and 22 with Josephine Nkomo (25 in 32) before Suleeporn Laomi (2-24) removed her in the 15th over.
The chase was never on the cards for Zimbabwe right from the beginning. They lost their last six wickets for 31 before being bowled out for 101 with three balls remaining.
The two teams will meet on 30 August for the decider, at the same venue.
Brief scores: Thailand 154/3 in 20 overs (Natthakan Chantham 88*; Loren Tshuma 2-27) beat Zimbabwe 101 in 19.3 overs (Precious Marange 30; Nattaya Boochatham 4-16) by 53 runs.