T20WC Qualifier B Wrap Day 5: PNG, Uganda win thrillers; Jersey run rampant

**Toss:**USA opted to field first

The USA bowling attack came up with a brilliant performance, which restricted PNG to a low score. The entire bowling unit was in top form, as the PNG batting innings never quite got going. Only opener Lega Siaka (28) managed to put up some sort of fight. The rest of the scorecard was a poor reading for PNG, as they faltered to 97 all out in 16.3 overs. For USA, Juan Theron, Nisarg Patel and Vatsal Vaghela all picked up two wickets each.

In reply, PNG fought valiantly with the ball, sealing a nervy victory. They had USA in all sorts of trouble at 36/6, a situation from which they could never quite recover. Chad Soper and Assad Vala would both scalp three wickets each to do the bulk of the damage. For USA, only Vatsal Vaghela (29) could make any sort of a significant contribution with the bat. In the end, the match would be decided in the final over, with PNG holding on for a five-run victory.

This brought an end to their tournament where they finished third.

**Toss:**Hong Kong elected to field first

Putting Uganda in to bat first, the Hong Kong bowlers did a reasonable job of keeping the scoring rate in check in Bulawayo. After Simon Ssesazi (23) and Ronak Patel (22) gave the Ugandans a decent start with a 51-run stand, Hong Kong struck back with verve to reduce them to 80/5. The regular fall of wickets also meant that Uganda could never get going in their innings and accelerate the proceedings. They ended with a score of 102/7 in 20 overs and would have a big task ahead on their hands to defend the score. Mohammad Ghazanfar (3/22) and Mohammad Aizaz Khan (2/14) were the picks of the bowlers for Hong Kong.

In reply, Hong Kong would have a horrid start as Uganda reduced them to 34/5 after 9.1 overs. None of the top five in the batting order could register a double-figure score, leaving Hong Kong in all kinds of doldrums. Uganda were exceptional with the ball, both keeping run-rate in check while also scalping wickets. Juma Miyaji, in particular, troubled the batters a lot. It seemed like a lost cause for Hong Kong, but a partnership would then flourish between Zeeshan Ali and Shahid Wasif to give them a glimmer of hope. The pair kept Hong Kong in the hunt before Bilal Hassun delivered the all-important breakthrough by bowling Wasif out for 22. The match turned into a nail-biter as Hong Kong required 12 off the last over. Hong Kong would get off to a good start, scoring 6 in the first three deliveries. But Cosmas Kyewuta would deliver back-to-back wickets, sealing a four-run victory for Uganda.

With the win, Uganda would finish the tournament in fifth place.

**Toss:**Singapore elected to field first

Singapore got vital contributions from all over their batting order, as they put up a competitive score on the board. Surendran Chandramohan (31) and Navin Param (23) chipped in with some vital runs. But it was Manpreet Singh, who played a knock of 47 in only 37 deliveries which helped Singapore to reach a score of 140/7 in 20 overs. Singh would hit two sixes and one four in his innings. For Jersey, Benjamin Ward (2/17) and Dominic Blampied (2/22) were impressive with the ball.

In reply, Jersey would cruise through the chase for large parts of the contest. Nicholas Greenwood would get Jersey's chase off to a flying start, scoring 48 runs in only 26 deliveries. He would get brilliant support from Asa Tribe, who also chipped in with 36 runs off only 26 deliveries. Jonty Jenner would then apply the finishing touch, scoring a quickfire 21-ball 39* as Jersey sealed a six-wicket victory.

With the win, Jersey finished 7th in the tournament.