Sport: PNG cricketers look to kick on from UAE win

11:30 am on 4 April 2017

Despite Papua New Guinea's third one dayer against the United Arab Emirates tonight not holding the extra carrot of World Cricket League Championsip points, their coach says they won't want for motivation.

After losing the first match of the series by 82 runs PNG bounced back with a hard fought 26 run victory against the hosts.

The first two matches in the Abu Dhab-based series contributed to the championship standings, with PNG in contention with the Netherlands at the top of the ladder.

After losing the first match by 82 runs the PNG Barramundis bounced back with a hard fought 26 run victory against the hosts.

Coach Dipak Patel and Assistant Coach John Ovia

Coach Dipak Patel and Assistant Coach John Ovia Photo: PNG Cricket

Electing to bat first, PNG posted a modest 232 off their 50 overs.

In reply, the UAE got off to a brilliant start to be 91 for 1 before captain Assad Vala led the PNG bowling attack back into the game with the UAE eventually bowled out for 206.

Coach Dipak Patel said the spirit of the side was pleasing and they showed they could finish off an opponent.

"Particularly our fielding and bowling that brought us back into contention and then finishing off the game convincingly, certainly put us in good headspace as well as far as our confidence is concerned," Patel said.

Tonight's third match is a friendly with no championship points on offer but Patel said his side still wants to win and win well.

"We want to go from strength to strength," Patel said.

"We have learnt a lot from the first two games. We want to go to the next level and we realise that we have still got a fair bit of work to do to improve in all three aspects of our cricket," he said.

"We want to make sure that we try and win the game and make it a 2-1 series win and then move on to the I-Cup."

The PNG Barramundis play a four-day Inter-Continental Cup clash at the conclusion of the one day series and end their month-long tour with three Twenty20 Internationals.