Shafali Verma praises Thailand as women’s cricket continues to grow

Thailand’s bowlers gave India a reminder that women’s cricket is spreading well beyond its established strongholds. India still won their opening T20 Women’s Asia Cup match in Dubai by 94 runs, but their batting slipped from 91 for one to 137 for nine after Thailand’s spinners took control.

Shafali Verma, who scored 64 from 36 balls, singled out Thailand’s effort. “I'm so happy with the way Thailand bowlers bowled, it's cricket. We practiced hard for that (to counter spinners on slow wickets), but just credit to Thailand bowlers, and I'm so happy women's cricket is growing,” she told reporters.

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I'm so happy with the way Thailand bowlers bowled, it's cricket. We practiced hard for that (to counter spinners on slow wickets), but just credit to Thailand bowlers, and I'm so happy women's cricket is growing.

Thailand leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi claimed three wickets for 26 runs, while off-spinner Sunida Chaturongrattana took two for 31 on a surface that helped slow bowling. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur also credited Thailand for bowling in areas that made it difficult to score.

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And as a team, we are so happy the way women's cricket is growing, and the way they are improving. So just hats off to them, and just I will say to them, just keep working hard, and we all are so happy just seeing the improvement in women's cricket.

The 2026 tournament features four associate nations: hosts the UAE, Thailand, Hong Kong and Indonesia, making their Asia Cup debut. Verma said greater exposure to top teams could accelerate their progress. “And as a team, we are so happy the way women's cricket is growing, and the way they are improving. So just hats off to them, and just I will say to them, just keep working hard, and we all are so happy just seeing the improvement in women's cricket.”

India next face Hong Kong on September 3. Thailand, who opened with a six-run win over Hong Kong, will play Pakistan next.

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We sometimes didn't play good shots, but also credit to Thailand for bowling in the areas where it wasn't easy to hit. They bowled well and we also didn't execute very well.