PNG the team to beat in Super Six stage of ICC cricket
25 January 2014
VOXY
SIX TEAMS HAVE ADVANCED from the group stage of the Cricket World Cup Qualifier to the next stage of the tournament in New Zealand, with Papua New Guinea the team to beat in the Super Six stage that commences tomorrow at three venues across Christchurch.
The teams progressing to the Super Six stage are Scotland, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates from Group A along with PNG, Namibia and Kenya from Group B.
The Super Six matches will be played at Rangiora Oval, Hagley Oval and Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Christchurch until 30 January, with each team carrying forward its points from the group stage.
Hong Kong, Namibia, PNG, Scotland and UAE all recorded three victories from four matches. However, PNG is the only team to have beaten two other Super Six sides, and is therefore the only team to carry four points forward.
PNG, which takes on the number-one seeded team of the tournament, UAE, in its first Super Six match at Hagley Oval tomorrow, will be the team to beat in the Super Six stage.
The side won three group matches, including comprehensive victories over Kenya and Namibia (both by eight wickets). After a large defeat to Netherlands (130 runs), PNG bounced back against Namibia, with Lega Siaka scoring the sixth highest individual score of the tournament (112 not out). The diminutive opener is the second highest run-getter of the tournament (with an aggregate of 294).
The PNG bowling attack has also proved consistent throughout the event, with leg-spinner Charles Amini claiming six for 19 against Uganda. Skipper Chris Amini, Mahuru Dai and Pipi Raho have added very capable support, each claiming wickets in the side’s last match against Namibia.
PNG’s opposition on Sunday, the UAE, was the top-ranked team in the tournament after finishing third in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Championship 2011-13.
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