It was another exciting days of cricket at the ICC Men’s World T20 qualifiers in the 4 matches played on Friday.
In Group A, Papua New Guinea defeated Singapore by a massive margin while Namibia crushed Kenya to register their 3rd successive win of the tournament.
Group B saw Ireland made light work of Jersey and Oman cruise to an easy victory over Canada.
Group A
Papua New Guinea versus Singapore
Papua New Guinea is just one win away from a direct qualification as they crushed Singapore by 43 runs played at Dubai International Stadium, Dubai. Singapore captain Amjad Mahoob won the toss and decided to field first. PNG openers Tony Ura and Asad Vala took advantage of poor bowling by Singapore bowlers. Before the end of power play over, PNG captain Asad Vala was dismissed by Tim David for 24. At the end of 6 overs, PNG raced to 61 for 1.
Singapore bowlers made a strong comeback to reduce PNG at 101 for 4. Navin Param was outstanding with his bowling taking 2 wickets in succession. Amini and Kegira Dogra then put on a brilliant partnership with big hits and good running between the wickets. Both added unbeaten 79 runs for the 5th wicket. PNG posted a massive total of 180 for 4 in 20 overs. Navin Param was the pick of bowlers for Singapore with 2 for 24.
Chasing down the target of 181 runs to win, it was a bad start as Surendra Chandramohan was run out without facing a ball. Rohan Rangarajan showed his class with attacking stroke play scoring 27 off 26 balls. Singapore lost 2 more quick wickets and ended the power play overs at 37 for 3.
After the power play overs, Tim David scored a quick fire 44 off 26 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes. PNG bowlers kept it tight and restricted Singapore to 137 for 9 in 20 overs. D Ravu broke the backbone of Singapore side with figures of 4/18.
Namibia versus Kenya
Namibia registered their 3rd successive win of the tournament crushing Kenya by 87 runs played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. Namibia captain MG Erasmus won the toss and decided to bat first.
It was not an ideal start as Nikolass Davin was dismissed cheaply for 5. Stephen Baard looked in sparkling form with positive stroke play. At the end of 6 overs, Namibia were 52 for 1.
After the power play overs, Baard continued his positive approach and reached his fifty off 36 balls. Kotze and Baard added 63 runs for the 2nd wicket. The Kenyan bowlers fought back strongly to reduce Namibia to 108 for 5. Captain Erasmus and Williams teed off in the last 2 overs scoring 45 runs to help Namibia post a massive total of 181 for 5. Erasmus reached his fifty off 25 balls with a three runs off the last ball. Erasmus and Williams added unbeaten 73 runs for the 6th wicket. Collins Obuya, Ngoche and Bhudia took 1 wicket each, 2 were run outs.
The Kenyan batsmen were never in the hunt as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Apart from Rakeep Patel 30, Gandhi 22, Namibia kept it tight and bowled Kenya for 94 in 18.5 overs. BM Scholtz was the pick of bowlers for Namibia with 4 for 12, JJ Smit 3 for 19.
Group B
Ireland versus Jersey
Ireland cruise to an easy 8 wickets win over Jersey played at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi. Ireland captain Gary Wilson won the toss and decided to field first. It was a disciplined bowling effort by Ireland bowlers who did not allow Jersey batsmen to score runs easily.
Apart from Ben Stevens 25 off 25, Blampied 20, Jersey were bowled out for 105 in 20 overs. Mark Adair was the pick of bowlers for Ireland with figures of 3/10.
Chasing down 106 runs to win, Paul Stirling made an impressive start putting pressure on Jersey bowlers. Kevin O Brien and Paul Stirling added 35 runs for opening wicket. Stirling continued his positive approach to reach his fifty and help Ireland win the match by 8 wickets with 36 balls to spare.
Canada versus Oman
Oman defeated one of the strongest sides in the tournament Canada by 8 wickets played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Canada captain Navneet Dhaliwal won the toss and decided to bat first.
Playing his first game in the tournament for Canada, Srimantha Wijeyeratne showed positive intent right from word go and put pressure on Oman bowlers while Navneet supported him. At the end of 6 overs, Canada raced to 56 for 0.
After the power play over, Khawar Ali got the breakthrough for Oman dismissing Navneet for 9. Navneet and Srimantha added 58 runs for opening wicket. The debutant impressed one and all to reach his fifty off 33 balls. Oman spinners strangled the Canadian batsmen to pick wickets at regular interval in death overs to bowl out restrict Canada for 144 for 9. Srimantha was the top scorer for Canada with 56 off 36 balls. Oman captain Zeeshan Masqood was the pick of bowlers with 3 for 25, Khawar Ali 2 for 18.
Chasing down 145 runs to win, Khawar Ali was dismissed by Gordon for 4. Aqib Ilyas and Jatinder Singh attacked the Canadian bowlers with positive stroke play. At the end of 6 overs, Oman were well placed at 66 for 1.
After the power play over, Jatinder and Iillyas continued hit boundaries at will. Illyas reached his fifty off 25 balls while Jatinder Singh also made the batting look easy to complete his 50 off 29 balls. Heyliger finally struck for Canada getting the wicket of Illyas for 60. Jatinder and Illyas added 126 runs for the 2nd wicket. Zeeshan Masqood hit the winning runs and helped Oman register 8 wickets win with 31 balls to spare.
In todays matches Bermuda will take on Netherlands and Namibia will face Singapore in Group A. In Group B, Ireland will face against Nigeria.
