ICC T20 Cricket World Cup Qualifier EAP

The Barramundis closed in at 4/92 (15.1 Overs) with Japan 8/87 (20 Overs).

Bowling first, the Barramundis were on fire in the field and with ball in hand. The wickets were shared around with 5 bowlers claiming a wicket each alongside two run outs and some fantastic outfield catching.

The Amini Park pitch is proving to be difficult to score on and is keeping low and slow, meaning the chase of 87 was never fully comfortable. After the loss of two early wickets, skipper Assad Vala steadied with CJ Amini to see PNG over the line.

Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd (KPHL) PNG Barramundis and Japan registered two wins each against fellow counterparts, Philippines and Vanuatu, who have yet to win a match. Both teams will be up to grab a win against each other.

With their chances of leading the race into second round of matches of the tournament, PNG and Japan will prove their credentials on the pitch today, to see who is worthy of representing the East Asia Pacific region in the T20 World Cup this October in India.

Vanuatu had won the toss and elected to bowl first.

However, PNG bowlers made their presence known with home ground advantage, bowling out the visitors for a paltry 71 runs in their 20 overs with eight wickets down. Vanuatu batters regularly lost wickets and struggled to score runs.

The best of PNG bowlers, John Noel Kariko (3/6 in 4 overs), was supported by Charles Amini (2/10), Norman Vanua (2/13) and Alei Nao (1/23).

The PNG batsmen chased a modest total made easy, cruising past their target one wicket down (1/75) in 6 overs.