PNG Barramundis thrash Kenya by 8 wickets

The PNG Hebou Barramundis started of well after a devastating loss to Hong Kong in  warm- up match  by beating Kenya in the  World Cup Qualifiers  in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

The Barras  won by eight wickets with 43 balls remaining with a century put up by both Assad Vala with 105 runs and Lega Siaka with 103 runs. 

Youngster 21 year old Lega Siaka belted 103 off 83 balls to kick start the response and was backed up by man of the match Assad Vala who smashed 105 off 109 balls to guide the Barras home with 7 overs to spare.

Hebou Barras easily cruised past Kenya’s target of 249 runs in just 42.5 overs with two wickets down and a final score of 250 runs after Captain Chris Amini won the toss and elected to field first. Pace bowler, Raymond Haoda got the Barras off to a good start by claiming his first wicket with the score on 18.

Kenya then lost their other opener to Pipi Raho with 36 on the board. Maurice Ouma and Collins Obuya then steadied the ship and were looking comfortable before skipper Amini removed the dangerous Ouma for 24.

Raho picked up his second wicket by dismissing Steve Tikolo with the game in the balance at 4/109. Obuya was the standout batsman for the Africans with a classy 106 (120 balls). Raymond Haoda was brilliant once again with the ball picking up 4/50 with Pipi Raho claiming 2/47. Mahuru Dai (1/17), Chris Amini (1/26)& Willie Gavera (1/56) all picked up a wicket each. Charles Amini (0/51) bowled well without luck.

Hebou Barras response started disastrously as they lost Tony Ura (0) in the first over with no score on the board. That was the only shinning light for the Kenyans as Lega Siaka along with Assad Vala counter punched with some entertaining stroke play to bat the Kenyans out of the game.

Siaka brought up his century in style with a pull shot over square-leg for six. He was eventually dismissed for a classy 103 with the Barras on 2/154. Skipper Chris Amini joined Vala and the pair went through unbeaten to guide the Barras home with 8 wickets in hand.

Not to be outdone, Vala also brought up his entertaining century with a six over the bowlers head as he finished unbeaten on 105. Amini was also unbeaten on 28 as the pair put on 96 for the third wicket to cruise past the target with ease.

Hebou Barras have light session tomorrow followed by some more practice on Wednesday before taking on Uganda on Thursday at Pukekura Park.

PNG Today / PNGEDGE