United Arab Emirates

Giving an update from Dubai, PNG’s Commissioner General to the Expo, Ambassador Joshua Kalinoe said they have settled in and are getting the pavilion program finalized and ready to go.

He said the contingent is looking ahead at the activities that are undertaken by the expo committee, called the thematic week events.

Ambassador Kalinoe said they are also participating through the CEOs of companies through ministers of government, with the minister for Forests’ arrival in Dubai kick starting the first program, which is on environment and biodiversity.

United Arab Emirates batted first and finished the innings all out for 221.

With the Duckworth/Lewis method in play, the target was reduced to a 170 for victory in 28 overs.

A batting collapse in the top order led to their demise as the Barras were bowled out for 113.

“I didn’t start too well in my first over, but I managed to pull it back after that. Overall I was very happy with my death bowling, which has been a key part of my game over the past couple of months,” said fast bowler, Norman Vanua. 

The Hebou PNG Barramundis:

1.         Assad Vala (Captain)

2.         Vani Vagi Morea

3.         Lega Siaka

4.         Tony Ura

5.         Sese Bau

6.         Mahuru Dai

7.         Damien Ravu

8.         John Boge Reva

9.         Alei Nao

10.       Jason Kila

11.       Chad Soper

12.       Kipling Doriga

13.       Norman Vanua

14.       Jack Vare-Kevere

15.       Charles Amini Jnr

Coach: Joe Dawes

The match will start at 5:30 PM PGT.

They thrashed the pacific nation by an innings and 29 runs on Day 3 of the Round 7 Fixture in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Resuming the day at 8/269, Hong Kong captain, Babar Hayat, continued to frustrate the Hebou PNG Barramundis bowlers, smashing a brilliant double century in the morning session to help Hong Kong to a mammoth 348 in the first innings.

Hayat was unbeaten on 214 runs, which meant he scored over 60 percent of his side’s runs, hitting 27 boundaries and 6 massive sixes on the way.

Resuming play at 2/50, Hong Kong batted their way to surpass the Barras’ first innings score of 237 to finish at 8/269, with captain Babar Hayat (*140) the standout batsman.

For the Barras, Chad Soper has been the best so far with 3/26 off his 24 overs bowled.

1st Innings:

Hebou PNG Barramundis 10/237 (77.3) Tony Ura 62, Kipling Doriga 40, Assad Vala 40, Lega Siaka 32, John Boge Reva 25, Nadeem Ahmed 5/72 (29.2), Ehsan Khan 3/66 (23)

A knock of 117 not out from Shaiman Anwar in the first of the two matches set up a target of 181 for the Barras to chase for victory.

Mohammad Naveed (3/18) and Amjad Javed (3/38) ensured the victory bowling the Barras all out for 150 to win by 30 runs, and take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Jack Vare put on 38 runs for the Barras.

The third T20I played later in the day was a much closely contested one with UAE reaching the target of 129 with five balls to spare and five wickets in hand, to complete the series whitewash.

Batting first, the Barras found themselves in trouble from the start losing wickets in close succession to leave them at 4/23 after only seven overs.

Right-arm medium pace bowler, Amjad Javed was the man behind the top order demise taking the wickets of Tony Ura (7), Lega Siaka (0) and Assad Vala (9).

The Barras were eventually all bowled out for 102 inside 18 overs. Javed (3/12) and Mohammad Naveed (3/24) shared the spoils taking three wickets each.

UAE only lost five wickets in their run chase to reach the target with 29 balls to spare.

On the last day of play at Sheikh Zayed Stadium yesterday, the Barramundis were all bowled out in their second innings for 286.

The bulk of their runs came from a career best knock of 142 from Lega Siaka who finished not out.

UAE’s Mohammad Naveed (4/78) and Imran Haider (4/93) were instrumental ripping through the batting attack taking four wickets each.

This was after the completion of day three of the ICC Intercontinental Cup match yesterday.

UAE finally declared at 8/441, thanks largely to centuries from Muhammad Usman (103) and Saqlain Haider (102).

Mahuru Dai picked up another wicket yesterday to finish with the best bowling figures for the Barramundis with 4/126.

The Barramundis’ second innings got off to a bad start, losing early wickets to leave them at 4/152 at stumps.

UAE’s Imran Haider was the man responsible taking the wickets of opener Tony Ura (35), Assad Vala (15) and Dogodo Bau (4).

The Barramundis found themselves in trouble early on the innings when Qadeer Ahmed took the wickets of openers Tony Ura (11) and Vani Vagi Morea (11).

Wickets continued to fall in close succession and the Barramundis found themselves in dire straits at 7/110.

Wicket-keeper Jack Vare (38) and Chad Soper (38) top scored for the side who were all bowled out after 85.3 overs.

Ahmed (3/43) and Ahmed Raza (3/38) both shared the spoils with three wickets a piece.