PNG Hebou Barramundis advance to play-offs

PNG Barramundis Team. Photo: Cricket PNG

MAHURU Dai kept Papua New Guinea’s hopes alive with a 40-ball 64, leading the Barramundis to a 25-run win over Bermuda yesterday in their last pool match of the ICC World Twenty-20 qualifiers in Dubai. 

Captain Chris Amini won the toss and sent his side in to bat, making 168 for five – thanks mainly to Dai and Tony Ura, who made 47 off 32 balls.

Bermuda’s David Hemp hit 64 as well, while Janeiro Tucker contributed 42 as the Caribbean Islanders went blow for blow with PNG before running out of steam to be 142/9 at the end.

Willie Gavera picked up three for 17,  including No.3 Hemp and opener Terryn Stovell (4) to lead the Barramundi bowlers.   

But things did not look rosy for PNG as opener Assad Vala was run out for two in the first over.

Vala, who has had an ordinary tournament so far, was replaced by Kila Pala who was bowled the very next ball and PNG were 2/2 runs in the first over. 

No.4 batsmen Geraint Jones joined Tony Ura but the partnership only lasted just nine runs when Jones was caught by wicket Keeper for 7 runs and PNG were 3/9 runs in the 3rd over. 

Jack Vare paired up with Ura and showed some intent but the Bermuda bowlers bowled tight lines whenVare scored 14 runs but was trapped LBW in the 5th over and PNG were in big trouble at 4/22 while Ura managed to keep his wicket and hold the innings. 

However, tide changed when experience campaigner Dai (pictured) joined Ura the pair put on a match saving partnership of 76 runs in seven overs when Ura was bowled with PNG’s score at 102-4 in the 13th over mark. 

The pair played positive cricket under pressure and were able to play there natural game to put the fight back to the Bermudan bowlers. 

The Barramundis have now secured 5th spot in their Pool B and will advance to the play off stages which will starts tomorrow. 

PNG will take on Pool A’s fourth placed team, Namibia. 

The Pool B ladder at the completion of the round matches is: Afghanistan 12, Netherlands 10, Nepal 8, Scotland 8, PNG 7, Kenya 6, Bermuda 4 and Denmark 0. 

Pool A: Ireland 13, Hong Kong 10, UAE 10, Namibia 8, Itlay 5, Uganda 4, Canada 3, USA 3. 

The Barramundis head over to Abu Dhabi were they will play in the playoff stages and with must-win situations in all matches. 

If PNG beat Namibia they will move up to play the loser of the second versus third match. 

If PNG lose their match against Namibia they will be out of the World Cup race. 

PNG are two wins away from qualifying for 2014 world cup tournament in Bangladesh. 

The National