Sport: PNG cricketers left spinning in final tour match

11:19 am on 2 November 2018

Papua New Guinea have ended their tour of Hong Kong on a disappointing note, thrashed by 110 runs in the third and final one dayer.

Barramundis left-arm spinner Jason Kila made an immediate impact, after the tourists were sent into field, snaring the wicket of opening batsmen Nizakat Khan with the third ball of the match.

Norman Vanua and Chales Amini Junior also struck early to reduce Hong Kong to 33 for 3 after 10 overs.

However a half-century stand between Babar Hayat and Kinchit Shah stabilised the innings before Hayat and Waqas Khan put on a quick-fire 79 runs in 80 balls.

At 167 for 4, Hong Kong were well placed to post a sizable total until Khan was runout for 15 in the next over, with Babar caught 10 balls later, having compiled a stylish 107 from 102 balls, including six fours and seven sized.

The final five wickets fell for just 30 runs as the hosts were all out for 204.

The PNG Barramundis celebrate another one day series win over Hong Kong.

The PNG Barramundis celebrate another one day series win over Hong Kong. Photo: Hong Kong Cricket

Damien Ravu the pick of the PNG bowlers with figures of 3 for 48, while Charles Amini Junior mopped up the tail to chip in with 3 for 52.

The Barramundis run-chase started strongly with Tony Ura blasting 23 runs from Haroon Arshad's first two overs to help the visitors reach 28 without loss after four overs.

But a spectacular diving, one-handed catch on the long-on boundary from man of the match Babar Hayat removed the dangerous Ura before Ehsan Khan trapped Dogodo Bau LBW for a golden duck the very next ball.

Charles Amini Junior saw off the hat-trick delivery, with captain Assad Vala unable to bat after splitting the webbing between his fingers while fielding, but didn't last long as PNG slumped to 31 for 4, then 60 for 7 before Damien Ravu was the last man dismissed with the score on 94.

All nine Barramundis wickets fell to spin bowling, with Kinchit Shah the star performer for the home side with figures of 4 for 28 from his ten overs.

Despite the loss, PNG still won the series 2-1 to claim the South China Cup, matching their effort against the same opponent on home soil last month.

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