On Sunday, June 2, Papua New Guinea (PNG) outperformed co-hosts West Indies (WI) in the second game of the T20 World Cup 2024. But the West Indies fought hard to win by five wickets and gain two vital points.
In Providence Stadium, Guyana, Rovman Powell won the toss and asked PNG to bat first. The tourists' powerplay saw them lose three wickets for 34 runs, which was a poor start. Assad Vala, the captain who inspired the team, scored some lovely strokes but was out of the game for 21 in the final powerplay over.
Sese Bau, batting at number four, got a fifty off forty-three balls after playing cautiously on a slow-moving wicket. The PNG hitters had trouble hitting boundaries, and they also had trouble with strike rotation. Ultimately, PNG reached 136/8 in their 20 overs thanks to a crucial 27-run knock off 18 balls by wicketkeeper-battler Kiplin Doriga. With the ball, Andre Russell was outstanding, taking two wickets for 19 runs in his three overs. Alzarri Joseph took a few wickets but was also a little pricey.
Kabua Morea began the second innings with four dot balls, but the West Indies did not get going until Brandon King struck two straight boundaries. At the crease, Roston Chase was joined by the dangerous Russell. The latter, maintaining his poise, demonstrated his value to the squad by hitting an undefeated 42 off 27 balls to lead the two-time champions to victory with an over remaining. In the end, Russell was unbeaten at 15 off 9 balls.
Here's what winning skipper Rovman Powell said:
Their plans were simple, and they play some good cricket. It's important to get two points, and that's what we did. It's 10-15 too much (PNG's total). As a bowling group, that's what we want to tighten up. Since I turned captain, 70-80 percent team has been playing together. Starting from the bowling effort, he bowled very well (talking about Chase). And then towards the end, to hold his composure in a pressure game in WC, it's pleasing for us. Weren't up to the straps to the level we want to play. We were at 60-70 percent. Hopefully we can correct that for the second game.
Here's what losing skipper Assad Vala said:
We knew we missed a trick towards the end. Another 15-20 runs would've been nice. But from the wickets we lost early, to post 136 was a good effort. Yeah, really happy with the way we fought. Got wickets in key moments. It's an opportunity and challenge we look forward to. Want to play our best cricket against the best players. He's been helpful with the wickets and conditions (talking about Phil Simmons).
Here's what Player of the Match Roston Chase said:
Very pleased to start the tournament with a win and to take the team over the line. I knew that it was hard for the batters coming in, gave myself time and backed my skills. I watched the PNG batters, they took their time and once they got in it was easy to score. I have worked hard, had a preparation camp in Antigua and brought that confidence into the game. We don't want to take any team lightly, they (PNG) are here which means they are deserving, we want to play the same way we would play India or Australia.
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