Singapore vs Thailand, AGMT20I, Today Match Prediction 29 September 2023

SGP vs THA Match Prediction & Analysis

Singapore take on Thailand in the 6th match of the Group Stage in the Asian Games Men’s T20I in Hangzhou. Singapore will be eager to bounce back from a huge loss in their opening game of the tournament.

Not only did they fail to clean up the tail after getting themselves in a strong position bowling first, but the batters also never got going from the start in the run-chase.

Former skipper and all-rounder Janak Prakash's expensive spell allowed the opposition to recover from the collapse.

Thailand have played Singapore once and it was the latter that emerged victorious in that encounter back in 2020. Thailand beat China, Myanmar, and Bhutan in back-to-back matches in the World Cup Asia B Qualifier in July this year. 

In the last match of the Qualifier, they faced a much stronger Malaysia side against whom Thailand were bowled out for 93 runs. Thailand’s bowling had outplayed the opposition in their previous outings.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

SGP

L

MAL

160/8 in 20.0 8

AGMT20I

Malaysia won by 73 runs

28 Sep 2023

SGP

87/10 in 17.5 4.88

THA

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Singapore Preview

Rezza Gaznavi will not be happy with how his team performed in the last match. Everyone including himself let the team down. First, it was the bowlers including a key all-rounder Janak Prakash who failed to capitalize on their strong position in the 1st innings. 

And later, Gaznavi and other middle-order batters failed to avoid a batting collapse. The skipper has to play a crucial role and number 3. Gaznavi and Anish Paraam need to lead the comeback from Singapore after they’ve lost early wickets.

If these two fail, Singapore are less likely to bounce back and finish with a competitive total. While Janak Prakash scored an unbeaten 26 off 21, it was far from enough while chasing 160 runs.

Earlier in the match, when Malaysia were cruising in the first half, Anish Paraam brought Singapore back into the game with back-to-back wickets. And from 74-2, they managed to reduce Malaysia to 90-6. 

In the remaining 8 Overs from this point onward, Singapore picked up just 2 more wickets for 70 runs. And that was where they lost the game. Ananta Krishna was also impressive with the ball. However, Janak Prakash and Avi Dixit are the ones who need to improve their bowling form and help Singapore clean up the tail.

Singapore Predicted Playing XI:

Avi Dixit, Arjun Mutreja, Navin Param, Janak Prakash, Rohan Rangarajan, Rezza Gaznavi (c), Chetan Suryawanshi (wk), Anish Paraam, Aahan Gopinath Achar, Anantha Krishna, Ishaan Swaney

Singapore Actual Playing XI:

Anish Paraam, Arjun Mutreje, Raoul Sharma, Rezza Gaznavi, Rohan Rangarajan, Chetan Suryawanshi, Aahan Gopinath Achar, Anantha Krishna, Janak Prakash, Navin Param, Ishaan Sawney, Anish Paraam, Ishaan Sawney, Raoul Sharma, Rezza Gaznavi

Thailand Preview

Thailand won 3 of their last 4 T20Is during the World Cup Asia B Qualifier in July this year. This has a huge significance for the team. Thailand started playing T20 internationals in 2019 and won their first match against Maldives after 3 back to back losses.

And since then, they lost 12 games on the trot until they tasted success recently. The recent wins should boost their confidence and give them belief. However, most of the opponents were not as strong as the ones they would face in the Asian Games.

The bowling attack will be their biggest strength coming into this match. The bowlers were exceptional during the World Cup Qualifier. Jandre Coetzee and Robert Raina are the two key wicket-takers in this bowling attack to watch out for.

Thailand’s batting wasn’t tested since they chased very low scores against weak opposition. When they faced Malaysia, a stronger side compared to the teams they defeated, Thailand’s batting collapsed and bowlers failed to make an impact.

Akshaykumar Yadav and Jandre Coetzee are the key players in this middle-order. While Sorowat Desungnoen hasn’t been very consistent at the top, Robert Raina would be another crucial figure lower down the order.

Thailand Predicted Playing XI:

Sorowat Desungnoen, Phiriyapong Suanchuai (wk), Akshaykumar Yadav (c), Jandre Coetzee, Narawit Nuntarach, Robert Raina, Yodsak Saranonnakkun, Chaloemwong Chatphaisan, Nopphon Senamontree, Sarawut Maliwan, Khanitson Namchaikul

Thailand Actual Playing XI:

Phiriyapong Suanchuai, Chanchai Pengkumta, Chaloemwong Chatphaisan, Phanuwat Desungnoen, Narawit Nuntarch, Yodsak Saranonnakkun, Nopphon Senamontree, Sorawat Densungnoen, Khanitson Namchaikul, Satarut Rungrueang, Sarawut Maliwan

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It is a well-balanced pitch that offers an even contest between the bat and the ball. Batters with the ability to time the ball well can clear the boundaries easily and score big on this wicket. The bowlers would have a slight edge on this pitch. The weather will be partly cloudy with a high of 33 degrees Celsius in Hangzhou.

SGP vs THA Pitch Report

Pingfeng Campus Cricket Field in Hangzhou is the venue for the matches of the Asian Games Men’s T20I. While there have been some low-scoring games so far, the last match between Singapore and Malaysia saw the latter’s lower-order bounce back and lead them to a 160-run total. In this match, we reckon even something over 140 runs in the 1st innings can be a match-winning total.

Toss: To Bat

Though Thailand have won most of their recent matches bowling first, they should not risk that against a quality side like Singapore. It will not be easy to chase anything above 130-140 runs on this pitch. Singapore opted to bowl first in the last match and failed to make the most of it. Batting first will be the right choice for both teams.