The Hebou PNG Barramundis finished their ICC World Cricket League Championships (WCLC) campaign with a 93 run loss to Hong Kong in the second Round 7 fixture at the ICC Academy Ground 1 yesterday.
After being sent in by Barramundis’ captain, Assad Vala, Hong Kong piled on the runs in Dubai to post a mammoth 4/323 off their allotted 50 overs.
Anshuman Rath was the star with the bat for Hong Kong, batting right through the innings to post an unbeaten 143 off 137 balls. Rath was ably supported by in-form Hong Kong captain, Babar Hayat, who smashed 89 off 80 balls.
John Boge Reva (2/46) was the only multiple wicket-take for the Hebou PNG Barramundis, while Vala (1/22) picked up a single wicket.
In reply, the Barras slumped to 3/20 in four overs, with Tony Ura (3), Dogodo Bau (3) and Vala (8) falling very cheaply.
Unfortunately, the Barras were not able to recover from this disastrous start to eventually be dismissed for 230 in the 43rd over. Kipling Doriga, playing in his fourth One Day International (ODI) after making his ODI debut a couple of weeks ago, was the shining light for the Barras, scoring an unbeaten 89 off 90 balls which included six boundaries and three sixes.
Alei Nao (46) and Reva (36) made some very valuable contributions lower down in the order to put some respectability in the score. Eshan Nawaz (4/54) was the pick of the Hong Kong bowlers, taking 4/54 off his ten overs, while Nadeem Ahmed (2/36) and Ehsan Khan (2/46) both picked two wickets apiece.
In other ICC WCLC Round 7 results, Netherlands defeated Namibia by five wickets, Scotland defeated Kenya by 161 runs and United Arab Emirates defeated Nepal by 63 runs.
This meant that Netherlands finished top and won the ICC WCLC with 22 points, Scotland finished second on 19 points, Hong Kong finished third on 18 points while the Hebou PNG Barramundis finished fourth on 16 points.
Netherlands, Scotland, Hong Kong and Hebou PNG Barramundis have all secured their place in 2019 ICC Cricket World Qualifiers in Zimbabwe next year.
The Hebou PNG Barramundis finished their UAE Tour with four losses in their ODIs to Scotland and Hong Kong and a heavy defeat to Hong Kong in the ICC ICUP fixture.
Match Summary
Hong Kong 4/323 (50) Anshuman Rath 143* (137), Babar Hayat 89 (80), Tanwir Afzal 23 (13), John Boge Reva 2/46 (10), Assad Vala 1/22 (4) defeated Hebou PNG Barramundis 10/230 (42.2) Kipling Doriga 89* (90), Alei Nao 46 (37), John Boge Reva 36 (35), Ehsan Nawaz 4/54 (10), Nadeem Ahmed 2/36 (9), Eshan Khan 2/46 (8.2) by 93 runs.
(Hebou PNG Barramundis walking off the field)