Papua New Guinea captain Assad Vala opens on losing their first match of the T20 World Cup 2024 played game against West Indies feels that they were 15-20 runs short.
Papua New Guinea made an exceptional inning with the ball but the Windies’ powerful middle order scattered the hope and handed them a defeat.
After making a poor outing with the bat, PNG made an impressive comeback with ball by bagging 5 wickets for 97 runs in 16 overs.
Assad Vala opens on losing against West Indies
WI all-rounder Roston Chase changed the game flow with his match-winning 27 balls 42. While speaking in the post-match presentation, PNG captain Assad Vala said ” We knew we missed a trick towards the end. Another 15-20 runs would’ve been nice. But from the wickets we lost early, to post 136 was a good effort.
Yeah, really happy with the way we fought. Got wickets in key moments. It’s an opportunity and challenge we look forward to. Want to play our best cricket against the best players. He’s been helpful with the wickets and conditions (talking about Phil Simmons)”.
Speaking on the game, West Indies decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Batting first PNG made a struggling start by losing their first two wickets for 7 runs.
Though PNG lost their wickets at regular intervals, Sese Bau on the other end made a steady inning and scored a half-century which led PNG to near 100 runs mark before his dismissal.
Following his dismissal in the 17th over, PNG was in need of making some bold shorts to make an improvement in their scoreboard. PNG’s wicketkeeper Kiplin Doriga made a handy 27 runs from 18 balls and led Papua New Guinea to register 136 runs for 8 wickets loss in 20 overs.
While chasing, West Indies lost one of their opening batter Johnson Charles for a golden duck. Following his dismissal, Nicholas Pooran and B King made a steady partnership and scored 61 runs for the second wicket.
John Kariko broke the half-century stand by dismissing Nicholas Pooran for 27 runs who scored it at a strike rate of just 100.
Soon after Pooran’s dismissal, King too lost his wicket for 34 runs in the 10th over bowled by Assad Vala. Though West Indies lost their wickets in a crucial stage, Windies allrounder Roston Chase with his 27 balls 42 runs, led the West Indies to register their first victory of the tournament by beating PNG by 5 wickets.
Chase won the Player of the Match award for his match-winning knock. Papua New Guinea will play their next match of the season against Uganda on June 6 in Providence Stadium, Guyana.
