emirates7 - A storm loomed over Bangkok’s Terdthai Cricket Ground on Saturday, threatening to cut short the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier match between the UAE and Qatar. But there was another kind of storm on the field — Isha Oza. The UAE skipper smashed a stunning 113 off 55 balls and, alongside opening partner Theertha Satish, stitched together a 192-run partnership.
High Stakes in Qualification Battle
With nine teams competing for just two places in the Global Qualifier, the tournament format is unforgiving. The teams are split into three groups of three, each playing the other two teams in their group once. Only the group winners progress to the Super 3 stage, where the top two earn spots in the next round. Every victory is crucial — especially for the UAE, who fell just short of qualifying for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
A Bold Tactical Move
UAE head coach Ahmed Raza, learning from past disappointments, made a daring call when threatening weather moved in. In a rare strategic move in international cricket, he had all 10 batters retire at the end of the 16th over to ensure a result could be reached.
“We could hear thunder and see lightning, and the wind was picking up. We knew something was coming,” said Raza, a former UAE men’s captain. “Since T20s and ODIs don’t allow declarations, we consulted with officials and retired our batters.”
His objective was clear: make sure at least five overs could be bowled in Qatar’s innings — the minimum needed to validate a result under T20 rules. The gamble worked. As light rain began during the brief changeover, the UAE bowlers managed to restrict Qatar to just 29 runs in 11.1 overs before the skies opened up.
“It was raining heavily by the time we got on the bus,” Raza added, calling the moment “nerve-wracking.”
Clinical Bowling Display
Michelle Botha took three wickets and Katie Thompson added two, with the rest of the bowling unit contributing effectively to close out the match before conditions deteriorated.
Playing Smart, Not Unfair
Raza was quick to commend Oza and Theertha for laying the groundwork with their record partnership, which made the calculated move possible.
“This wasn’t about bending the spirit of the game or disrespecting anyone,” he said. “We played by the rules. Isha’s incredible century and the 192-run opening stand deserve all the credit — without that, none of this would’ve worked.”
High Stakes in Qualification Battle
With nine teams competing for just two places in the Global Qualifier, the tournament format is unforgiving. The teams are split into three groups of three, each playing the other two teams in their group once. Only the group winners progress to the Super 3 stage, where the top two earn spots in the next round. Every victory is crucial — especially for the UAE, who fell just short of qualifying for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
A Bold Tactical Move
UAE head coach Ahmed Raza, learning from past disappointments, made a daring call when threatening weather moved in. In a rare strategic move in international cricket, he had all 10 batters retire at the end of the 16th over to ensure a result could be reached.
“We could hear thunder and see lightning, and the wind was picking up. We knew something was coming,” said Raza, a former UAE men’s captain. “Since T20s and ODIs don’t allow declarations, we consulted with officials and retired our batters.”
His objective was clear: make sure at least five overs could be bowled in Qatar’s innings — the minimum needed to validate a result under T20 rules. The gamble worked. As light rain began during the brief changeover, the UAE bowlers managed to restrict Qatar to just 29 runs in 11.1 overs before the skies opened up.
“It was raining heavily by the time we got on the bus,” Raza added, calling the moment “nerve-wracking.”
Clinical Bowling Display
Michelle Botha took three wickets and Katie Thompson added two, with the rest of the bowling unit contributing effectively to close out the match before conditions deteriorated.
Playing Smart, Not Unfair
Raza was quick to commend Oza and Theertha for laying the groundwork with their record partnership, which made the calculated move possible.
“This wasn’t about bending the spirit of the game or disrespecting anyone,” he said. “We played by the rules. Isha’s incredible century and the 192-run opening stand deserve all the credit — without that, none of this would’ve worked.”