Kuwait had progressed to 80 at the halfway stage as the Thailand spinners bowled with good control but the two batsmen looked determined to use the full 50 overs with Asmeet on 24 from 51 balls and Shaies on 10 from 68.
Thailand’s fourth spinner came on with Jetsada also bowling tightly but Kuwait reached 91 after 30 overs. Finally the fourth wicket fell on 93 with Shaies bowled by Chinnathip for a very patient 17 from 82 balls.
Kuwait’s fourth-wicket stand accumulated 52 in 25 overs and the 100 came up in the 33rd over. The pressure began to tell as Asmeet was bowled by Jetsada for 31 from 84 balls with the score on 105 for 5.
Natpakhan was brought back after 25 overs of spin and he took his fourth wicket as Janath was caught at mid-off but the keeper could not hold on to two wide edges which would have given him a fifth wicket.
Kuwait were 126 for 6 in 40 overs and were looking for runs in the third powerplay but Aqif Farooq was caught at cover point off Ratthasat for 15. Paphawit the left-arm seamer was brought back but it was the spinners who had been more accurate as Jetsada was proving and Bahrain reached 150 in 46 overs.
Jetsada bowled his 10 overs for 17 and Phanuwat had figures of 9-4-13-1 but Ratthasat brought himself on to bowl the last over and he took two wickets in two balls. Moeez hit 30 and Bahrain reached 171 for 9. Natpakhan had final figures of 4 for 44.
Thailand knew that the target of 172 was perfectly achievable if they could bat the 50 overs. They had scored 150 against Bahrain in less than 40 overs but the Kuwait opening bowlers were quite lively in pace and could slip in short balls to keep the batsmen on their toes.
Arsh Sahil took the first wicket as he bowled Chetsarit for 1 while Aqif bowled Decaphon for 7 and had Pattarapol caught behind for 0 to leave Thailand in trouble on 13 for 3.
Natpakhan had already collected four wickets and was now batting at number four. Jetsada came in at five but Arsh Sahil got through his defences as he was bowled for 5. Thailand were 29 for 4 and Danuphon was in early. He tried to hit his way out of trouble but was bowled by Aqif for 0 and Arsh Salil also claimed his third wicket as Phanuwat was bowled for 1.
Thailand were 35 for 6 after 10 overs and five of the wickets were bowled as two pacy fast bowlers took three wickets apiece. Thailand captain Ratthasat supported Natpakhan for a while and hit a boundary but was bowled by Aqif as the opening bowlers were still charging in. Thailand were 54 for 7 and Natpakhan was playing a lone hand.
Drinks were taken after 15 overs and Thailand were 69 for 7 with Natpakhan on 36 from 25 balls. The off-spinner was now on and Natpakhan swept him for four.
Thailand were well ahead of the required rate and less than a hundred runs were required. The wickets were still falling as Janath had Aruesanan stumped for 1 off 12 balls then Chinnathip skied his first ball which fell safely then skied his third ball to be caught. Thailand were 79 for 9 in 18 overs with Natpakhan on 44.
Thailand might have been on the brink of defeat but Natpakhan has had a day to remember as he reached his fifty in 43 balls with 6 fours to add to figures of 4 for 44.
He couldn’t win the match on his own and the number 11 was also bowled and a total of seven batters were out that way. Thailand were dismissed for 87 in 20.2 overs as Kuwait won by 84 runs. Aqif took 4 for 35 and Arsh Salil 3 for 37 as Kuwait gained an emphatic victory but Natpakhan was player of the match for his all-round performance.
