The HEBOU PNG Barramundis went down to the hosts, Hong Kong, in the West Pacific Cup Final yesterday by seven runs.
Batting first in the final, Hong Kong posted an impressive 8/158 off their allotted 20 overs, mainly thanks to a quick-fire 72 runs off just 38 balls from Aizaz Khan at the top of the order.
Aizaz Khan was ably supported by Waqas Khan who made a valuable 39 runs off just 35 balls in the middle order while for the Hebou PNG Barramundis, Chad Soper (2/14), Jason Kila (2/24) and Norman Vanua (2/37) continued their great form with the ball during the series by picking up a couple of wickets apiece.
In reply, the Hebou PNG Barramundis slumped to 2/19 in the 3rd over when both opening batsmen (Tony Ura 13) and Anthony Vare (5) fell to Eshan Nawaz (3/20) and Tanveer Ahmed (1/24) respectively.
Then captain Assad Vala (55) and Kipling Doriga (56) put on a 115 run third-wicket partnership to take the Hebou PNG Barramundis in sight of victory.
When Doriga was eventually dismissed, the Barramundis still required 25 runs off 11 balls. Unfortunately some tight bowling from Hong Kong at the death restricted the Hebou PNG Barramundis to only 5/151, falling eight runs off the target.
Eshan Nawaz was the pick of the Hong Kong bowlers, taking three wickets.
Both teams will now turn their focus to the South China Cup, which is a three-match 50-over Series between the Hebou PNG Barramundis that commences today.
Match Summaries
Saturday 27th October, 2018
Final: Hong Kong 8/158 (20) Aizaz Khan 72 (38), Waqas Khan 39 (35), Chad Soper 2/18 (4), Jason Kila 2/24 (4), Norman Vanua 2/37 (4) defeated Hebou PNG Barramundis 5/151 (20) Kipling Doriga 56 (47), Assad Vala 55 (50), Eshan Nawaz 3/20 (4) by seven (7) runs
HEBOU PNG Barramundis Squad
1. Assad Vala
2. Tony Ura
3. Charles Amini Jnr
4. Sese Bau
5. Lega Siaka
6. Kipling Doriga
7. Dogodo Bau
8. Jason Kila
9. Norman Vanua
10. Nosaina Pokana
11. John Boge Reva
12. Chad Soper
13. Damien Ravu
14. Anthony Vare
Hebou PNG Barramundis Fixtures
West Pacific Cup (T20)
Tuesday 23rd October,2018:
1:30pm Hebou PNG Barramundis defeated Hong Kong 'A' by 139 runs
Wednesday 24th October, 2018:
9:30am Hebou PNG Barramundis defeated Hong Kong ‘A’ by 54 runs
1:30pm Hebou PNG Barramundis defeated Hong Kong by 37 runs
Thursday 25th October, 2018
1:30pm Hebou PNG Barramundis defeated Hong Kong by six (6) wickets
Saturday 28th October, 2018
1:30pm Hong Kong defeated Hebou PNG Barramundis by seven (7) runs
South China Cup (50 Over)
Sunday 28th October, 2018: Hebou PNG Barramundis vs Hong Kong
Tuesday 30th October, 2018: Hebou PNG Barramundis vs Hong Kong
Thursday 1st November, 2018: Hebou PNG Barramundis vs Hong Kong
(Assad Vala batting in the Hebou International T20 Series in Port Moresby – Source: CPNG)