Papuans extend UAE's League 2 losing streak

Papua New Guinea racked up a fourth consecutive win over the UAE in CWC League 2 at Kirtipur on Friday (March 10), further compounding the Emiratis' woes as they seek to avoid a sixth-placed finish. The 56-run defeat to last-placed PNG means the UAE now likely need to win all three of their remaining matches in this final trilateral series to avoid finishing in the bottom-two and thus risking relegation and loss of ODI status at the Qualifier Playoff in two week's time.

For the PNG, already assured of 7th place, this series is principally an opportunity to regain some form ahead of the Playoff, and the Papuan top three took advantage. Kiplin Doriga, Hiri Hiri and Sese Bau all struck personal best scores to take the Barramundis to an imposing 184/3, and though the UAE fought back with the ball the eventual total of 246/9 proved well beyond a faltering UAE batting card that has struggled to pass 200 in recent weeks.

A score of 300 or more had looked on the cards as Doriga and Hiri (the latter standing in for the injured Tony Ura) again helped PNG off to a flying start, adding 72 in the powerplay. Young left arm spinner Ayaan Affzal Khan broke the partnership with arm ball that had Doriga pinned in front for 55, but the UAE had to wait another 21 overs for their next wicket as Hiri and Bau compiled a brisk century stand to take PNG to 184/1 by the 32nd. It was again Khan who broke the stand as Hiri backed away to cut, losing his off stump and departing for 77. Khan claimed his third with his next ball bowling Asad Vala through the gate. The double strike seemed suck all the momentum out of the innings, with runs drying up and wickets falling regularly as Bau struggled to hold the lower order together. He finished unbeaten on 81 off 106 but lost six partners on the way, with PNG adding just 62 runs in the final 19 overs to set the UAE a target of 247.

For the first six over of the chase UAE looked well in control. New skipper Muhammad Waseem plundered 22 off Semo Kamea's second over as he raced to 41 off 25 deliveries before driving Kabua Morea to extra cover on the 26th. Asif Khan and Vritya Aravind soon followed him to the pavilion, falling to Riley Hekure and Vala respectively. Aryan Lakra compiled a mature half-century from number three, a creditable performance on a pitch that was getting slower and tougher to score on, but his was the only other contribution of note. Former captains CP Rizwan and Rohan Mustafa hung in with him long enough for Lakra to pass the milestone pushing Norman Vanua through cover on last ball of the 30th and at 140/4 the UAE looked well in the game. But two overs later both batters were back in the shed and the slide continued as the Emiratis were eventually bowled out for 190.

PNG will hope to carry their new-found momentum into their final two matches of the series, and then on to the Qualifier Playoff in Namibia, where their ODI status will be on the line. The UAE, currently in sixth place three points behind Nepal and four behind the States, will need to pass one or other of them if they are to avoid being in the same position in Windhoek. With Nepal still in the hunt for a podium finish and direct progression to the Qualifier, Sunday's match where the UAE take on the hosts is thus now must-win for both sides.