It was another exciting day of cricket as Papua New Guinea defeated Netherlands to go top of points table. Scotland registered their third win of the tournament cruising to an easy win over Bermuda
In Group B United Arab Emirates defeated Nigeria by 5 wickets while Hong Kong handed Canada their first defeat of the tournament by 32 runs.
Group A
Papua New Guinea versus Netherlands
Papua New Guinea defeated Netherlands by 5 wickets played at ICC Academy Ground, Dubai. Netherlands captain Peter Seelar won the toss and decided to bat first. Tobias Viese and MP O’Dowd started on an aggressive note adding 20 runs for opening wicket. Pokana got the breakthrough for PNG dismissing Viese for 12. PNG bowlers reduced Netherlands to 74 for 7. Tim Van der Gugten played a blinder of an inning scoring 40 off 21 balls and helped Netherlands post 126 for 7. For PNG, Amini took 2 for 24, Bau, Ravu, Pokana and Hekure took 1 wicket each.
Chasing down 127 runs to win, Tony Ura and PNG captain A Vala put on 47 runs for the opening wicket which laid a strong foundation for a win. Despite the fall of wickets, S Bau scored 34 off 26 balls and helped PNG register 5 wicket win with 1 over to spare.
Bermuda versus Scotland
Scotland versus Bermuda
Scotland defeated Bermuda by 46 runs in an important match played at Dubai International Stadium, Dubai on Thursday. Bermuda captain RJ Trott won the toss and decided to field first.
Kyle Coetzer and George Munsey made a cautious start before Leverock got the breakthrough for Bermuda dismissing Scotland captain Coetzer. At the end of 6 overs, Scotland were 37 for 1. After the power play overs, Ollie Haris played with positive intent and put pressure on Bermuda bowling line up with a quickfire 23 off 11 balls.
Calcum MacLeaod came to the crease and took on the Bermuda bowlers. Munsey on the other hand continued his aggressive play to reach his fifty off 40 balls. Munsey and MacLeaod added 76 runs for the 3rd wicket. MacLeod just took off with beautiful stroke play to complete his half-century off 27 balls. Scotland captain Richie Berrington joined in the party with a quick fire 34 off 19 balls and added 73 runs for the 4th wicket. MacLeod was dismissed off the last ball for a brilliant 74 off 37 balls. Scotland posted a massive total of 204 for 4 in 20 overs. KS Leverock took 2 for 39 for Bermuda.
Chasing down the massive target of 205 runs to win, it was not a good start as they lost wickets of Dion Stovell and Terryn Fray. Rawlins came to the crease and took on the Scotland bowlers. At the end of 6 overs, Bermuda were 51 for 2.
After the power play overs, Rawlins continued his aggressive intent which rattled the Scotland bowling line up. Despite the fall of wickets, Bermuda were ahead of the required run rate. Bermuda best hope Rawlins was dismissed for 46 off 21 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes.
KS Leverock played a quickfire knock remaining not out on 43 off 24 balls and added unbeaten 45 runs for the 9th wicket. Scotland restricted Bermuda to 158 for 8 to win the match by 46 runs.
Hamza Tahir, Watt and Sharif took 2 wickets each for Scotland. With this win, Scotland are still at number 3rd.
Group B
UAE versus Nigeria
United Arab Emirates defeated Nigeria by 5 wickets to register their 3rd win played at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi.
United Arab Emirates captain Ahmed Raza won the toss and decided to field first. The decision paid off for the hosts as they reduced Nigeria to 22 for 3. Onwuzullike and Adedeji played with aggression showing their class with big hits and rotating the strike. Both Nigerian batsmen added unbeaten 89 runs for the 4th wicket. Nigeria posted 111 for 3 in 20 overs. Adedeji remained not out on 51 while the other batsmen scored 46.
Chasing down 112 runs to win, playing his first match of the tournament Zawar Farid showed his positive intent taking on Nigerian bowlers with a quick fire 55 off 35 balls. Muhmmad Usman remained not out on 20 off 11 balls and helped UAE win the match by 5 wickets with 45 balls to spare.
Hong Kong versus Canada
Hong Kong stunned the table toppers Canada by 32 runs played at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi. Hong Kong captain Aizaz Khan won the toss and decided to bat first. Ahsan Abbasi and Nizakat Khan got Hong Kong off to a aggressive start adding 20 runs in 2.4 overs. Canada took 3 wickets in quick succession and left them in big trouble at 24 for 3. Kinchit Shah was the backbone of Hong Kong innings with an unbeaten 59 off 48 balls. Waqas Barqat 27, Haroon Arshad 17 and SS McKechine 14 ball 14 helped Hong Kong post 150 for 7 in 20 overs. Gordon, Heyliger, Saad Bin Zafar, Nitish Kumar and Nikhil Dutta took 1 wicket each.
Chasing down 151 runs to win, it was a shaky start by Canada as they could only score 24 for 2 at the end of 6 overs. None of Canadian batsmen were able to hit shots and fell short of the target by 32 runs. Hong Kong restricted Canada to 118 for 9. Nasrulla Rana was the pick of bowlers for Hong Kong with 3 for 25.
On 25th October 2019, PNG will face Singapore and Namibia against Kenya at Dubai. While in Group B, Ireland will take on Jersey at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi and Canada versus Oman at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
