After a disappointing start to their campaign, the City Pharmacy PNG Lewas roared back with a thrilling win against ICC Women's World T20 Qualifiers debutants UAE.
The Lewas yesterday secured a 2 wicket victory on the penultimate ball of the match.
The day started with UAE captain Humaria Tasneem making a generous gesture on behalf of UAE Cricket and giving Pauke Siaka a UAE cap at the toss, before choosing to bat first against the City Pharmacy PNG Lewas.
UAE made a steady, if not spectacular start with openers ER Oza and Chaya Mughal seeing out the powerplay without losing their wickets and reaching 21/0 after 6 overs.
If the openers had given UAE team a platform to attack from, the City Pharmacy PNG Lewas bowlers tore that platform to bits in a sensational session of bowling and fielding.
The dangerous looking Mughal 18(29b, 2x4s) was the first to go, run out thanks to some nifty work in the field by Brenda Tau as Oza 10(23b) was dismissed by Sibona Jimmy, who took a fantastic catch from her own bowling. Nisha Ali, who was player of the match for her outstanding knock against Netherlands, was dismissed on the very next ball to Oza, thanks to another run out. This time, Tanya Ruma and Sibona Jimmy combining.
Kaia Arua took a stunning catch of CR Seneviratna, off her own bowling and yet another run out, this time of UCKA Dona who left without playing a single ball, had UAE in absolute despair at 37-5 after 11 overs. The last 5 wickets falling, with only 9 runs scored!
The damage wasn't done yet as Sibona Jimmy got through the bat and pads of Hotchandan, leaving her stumps in a mess and when KKN Egodage became another victim of a run out, this time Vicky Ara'a the fielder, UAE were 45-7 in 13 overs.
A proper scrap ensued as a crucial partnership between UAE's opening bowlers Roopa Nagraj 10(17b) and S Srinivasan 22(26b, 2x4s) who was run out on the last ball of the innings, brought the UAE total up to a respectable mark of 83.
This was the first time in 3 games against the UAE that the Lewas had been able to dismiss the entire team. The bowlers definitely looked very dangerous as they took 7 wickets for 17 runs were bookended by the first and the 8th wicket.
In response, the City Pharmacy PNG Lewas started their chase with a bit of a hiccup as Sibona Jimmy 7 (9b) departed early. Kopi John and Brenda Tau tried to put together a partnership, but it was short-lived as John 12(22b, 1x4s) fell in the 8th over to CR Seneviratna.
Brenda Tau was stroking the ball well and brought the total to 50 in the 12th over before she was dismissed by Srinivasan, who was had an excellent day of cricket herself.
Tau's wicket was followed by the wicket of Captain Pauke Siaka 11(17b), who became Egodage's only victim of the game. Papua New Guinea were still very much in control of the game at this point needing 30 runs to win in 8 overs, with the score 56-4 in 12 overs.
Kaia Arua and Tanya Ruma appeared to be steadily inching the Lewas to victory, but Srinivasan was not about to give up just yet. With 11 runs to win from 22 balls, she picked up the wicket of Arua 8 (11b) and 2 balls later, Ruma 12(16b, 1x4s).
Despite being in a position of relevant comfort, the wickets stemmed the flow of runs as a result of which there were some nervy decisions while running that led to Veru Kila Frank getting run out for just 1 and suddenly, the City Pharmacy PNG Lewas needed 8 runs from the last 2 overs. That became 6 from 6 as Seneviratna bowled a stellar over, giving away just 2 runs in the 19th over to finish with figures of 4-1-7-1.
It was up to Ravini Oa and debutant Naoani Noinoi Vare to get PNG over the line in the final over. Vare picked up 3 from the first two balls of the final over and Oa picked up 2 from the 3rd to bring the scores level, but the drama was not over there.
Oa lost her wicket, run out while attempting to steal a single and win the match and with 1 run to in from 2 balls, it was down to the debutant to bring it home. Vare struck the ball confidently to put 2 points on the board as the City Pharmacy PNG Lewas won the match senstationally, by 2 wickets with 1 ball to spare. This should fill the Lewas with confidence going into their final group game against Netherlands.
A magnificent, pulsating game of cricket, which twisted and turned till the very end means that the City Pharmacy Lewas still have a chance to qualify for the semifinals, with a win over the hosts on Tuesday.
Match Summary
UAE 83/10 (20 Overs) S Srinivasan 22(26b, 2x4s),Chaya Mughal 18 (29b, 2x4s), Roopa Nagraj 10(17b, 1x4s), Sibona Jimmy 3-0-11-2, Kaia Arua 4-0-14-1, Vicky Ara'a 4-0-18-1
lost to
City Pharmacy PNG Lewas 84/8 (19.5 overs) Brenda Tau 19(25b, 1x4s), Tany Ruma 12(16b, 1x4s) Kopi John 12(22b, 1x4s), S Srinivasan 4-0-13-3, CR Seneviratna 4-1-7-1, KKN Egodage 3-0-15-1
by 2 wickets with 1 ball remaining
(Picture: Tanya Ruma slogs to midwicket)