The PNG Barramundis’ second match at the ICC World T20 Qualifier against Hong Kong was abandoned without a ball being bowled yesterday after rain affected the tournament for the second day in a row.
Match points were shared between the two teams leaving the Barramundis second in Pool A and heading for a top of the table clash with Ireland on Wednesday night PNG time.
Barramundi’s coach Dipak Patel said it was unfortunate that the match was called off as the team would have liked to grab maximum points.
“We will remain positive and shift our focus to the next game in two days time which is against the tournament favourites Ireland who are sitting comfortably at the top of Pool A. We are taking it game by game and Ireland is our next mission and the boys will not take a backward step to topple the tournament favorites,” said a confident Patel.
Ireland captain William Porterfield noted PNG’s performance against Jersey on Sunday and warned his team against complacency.
“PNG are a dangerous side as we know from playing them in a warm-up game before the last competition. We know how dangerous they can be so we’re not going to take them lightly. Every side in this competition has match-winners so you’ve got to nullify them, first and foremost. If we can bowl like that again we will put them under pressure.” Porterfield said.
The PNG Barramundis will travel to Belfast on Tuesday to play Ireland on Wednesday night PNG time before moving to Dublin to play their three remaining pool matches against Nepal, Namibia and USA.
The Pool A/B standings are as follows:-
|
Pool A |
Pts |
Pool B |
Pts |
|
Ireland |
4 |
Afghanistan |
6 |
|
PNG |
3 |
Kenya |
4 |
|
Namibia |
3 |
Netherlands |
4 |
|
Nepal |
3 |
Scotland |
2 |
|
Jersey |
2 |
Oman |
2 |
|
Hong Kong |
1 |
Canada |
0 |
|
USA |
0 |
UAE |
0 |
Tournament matches
Sun, 12 July –PNG v Jersey, Bready, Co. Tyrone (1000-1310);
Mon, 13 July –Hong Kong v PNG, Bready, Co. Tyrone (1000-1310);
Wed, 15 July – Ireland v PNG, Stormont, Belfast (1000-1310);
Fri, 17 July – Nepal v PNG, Malahide, Dublin (1000-1310);
Sat, 18 July –PNG v Namibia, Malahide, Dublin (1415-1725);
Sun, 19 July –PNG v USA, Malahide, Dublin (1415-1725);