Thailand Women held their nerves to beat Hong Kong Women by six runs in the opening match of the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai on Friday night.

After being invited to bat first Thailand posted 120-9 from their 20 overs. Captain Naruemol Chaiwai led the innings with a composed 43 off 31 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes.

Nannapat Koncharoenkai added 27 from 41 balls, while Phannita Maya scored 19. Thailand struggled to accelerate consistently but Chaiwai’s late hitting helped them reach a competitive total.

Hong Kong’s Marina Lamplough was their standout bowler, claiming 4-11 from her four overs. Kary Chan and Alison Siu also took two and three wickets respectively.

Hong Kong made a difficult start in the chase, losing Mariko Hill for a duck off the sixth ball of the innings. Kary Chan then provided momentum with 28 off 20 balls, while Yasmin Daswani added a patient 28 from 41.

Lamplough briefly lifted Hong Kong’s hopes with a rapid 22 off just 11 balls, including four boundaries. However, regular wickets prevented them from building a decisive partnership.

Hong Kong reached 100-6 in the 19th over but could manage only 114-7 from their 20 overs, finishing six runs short of Thailand’s target.

Thailand’s bowlers shared the workload effectively. Onnicha Kamchomphu took 3-27, while Phannita Maya claimed 2-22. Thipatcha Putthawong and Suleeporn Laomi took one wicket each.

Chaiwai was named Player of the Match for her crucial 43.