By Dion Kombeng – EM TV Sport, Port Moresby
The PNG Barramundis began their ICC World Cricket League Championships campaign on a high, with a two wicket win over Nepal in a final over thriller.
Despite losing the toss and Nepal electing to bat first, Barramundi’s youngster Norman Vanua got straight to business taking a wicket with the very first ball of the match. But following this disastrous start from Nepal, they managed to steady and made a respectable 8/232 off their 50 overs.
In reply, PNG got off to a positive start with Tony Ura making 30 off 26 with the bat, but a consecutive fall of wickets hindered their chase, slumping to 4/97 after 22 overs.
After 30 overs, the Barramundi’s were struggling at 6/138, still needing 95 runs off the next 20 overs to claim victory. Charles Amini Jnr. joined Vala to steady PNG’s run chase.
Needing six runs off the last over, John Boge Reva nudged B Regmi for consecutive 2s off the first two balls, before smashing a boundary off the third ball to give the BSP PNG Barramundis victory by two wickets, with only three balls remaining.
