Cricket: PNG still in contention for place in World 20/20 2014
25 November 2013
ESPN CRICINFO
PAPUA NEW GUINEA fought their way to a 25-run victory over Bermuda to ensure they stayed in the race for a place in the World Twenty20 2014.
Their victory, coupled with Kenya's loss to Afghanistan, meant PNG finished at No. 5 on the Group B points table and edged out Kenya - who finished sixth - for the final spot in the playoffs.
PNG chose to bat and were off to a disastrous start, reduced to 3 for 9 and 4 for 26, before the middle order rescued the innings alongside opener Tony Ura.
First Ura was involved in a 76-run stand with Mahuru Dai - who top scored with 64 - at close to nine an over. Then, when Ura fell three short of a half-century, Dai carried the innings forward with Charles Amini. They added 66 in 6.5 overs to lift the team to 168 for 5.
They might have been a tad worried defending that total, with Bermuda at 107 for 2 - the platform for the chase was laid by David Hemp and Janeiro Tucker, who scored 63 in partnership - in the 14th over, but a slide ensued.
The Amini brothers, Chris and Charles, were chiefly responsible for that collapse. First Charles removed the well-set Tucker with his legspin, before seamer Chris picked up a wicket and effected a run-out to all but seal the game for PNG.
Papua New Guinea 168 for 5 (Dai 64*, Ura 47) beat Bermuda 143 for 9 (Hemp 64, Tucker 42, Gavera 3-17)
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