UAE look to ride momentum and make it two in two

OverviewPapua New Guinea Women v United Arab Emirates Women
VRA Cricket Ground, Amstelveen
Match 8, WT20Q 2018
Sunday, 8 July, 14:00 GMT, 16:00 Local

The United Arab Emirates survived a Sterre Kalis assault to run out six-wicket victors in their opening game of the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier 2018, and will hope to keep the momentum going as they take on Papua New Guinea in their second game.

“I’m sure there are many more wins ahead for us,” said Nisha Ali, whose none for 17 from four overs and 59-ball 69 led UAE to victory, at the end of the game, and UAE will hope that is the case.

Ali, however, was not UAE’s only big performer. First up, Heena Hotchandani was impressive with her left-arm spin as she returned 2/18 even as Kalis keep up the pressure. Then, with the bat, Chaya Mughal, the opening batter, kept Ali company during a 110-run stand for the second wicket, scoring a 41-ball 36 herself.

Those are good signs, and the finishing job done by the vastly experienced Chamani Senevirathne was impressive too, and will give UAE confidence of making it two wins on the trot.

For PNG, it was a tough ask starting out against Bangladesh, the top-ranked team in the tournament.

They certainly didn’t stop trying. Tanya Ruma (23*) and Very Frank (27) scored their runs quickly, and Sibona Jimmy, Pauke Siaka and Vicky Ara'a conceded runs at under five an over.

They will, however, need more from their batters, especially, to stop the UAE women, who are on a high, to make this a good game.

Key players **Pauke Siaka (Papua New Guinea):**The PNG captain didn’t have a good time of it with the bat in the first game, but did well in returning 1/13 from three overs with her medium pace. She will need to lead from the front against UAE, and also lift her team to punch above their weight.

**Nisha Ali (United Arab Emirates):**She was the star performer, with bat and ball, at the ICC Women's World T20 Qualifying Series Asia Region in Bangkok earlier this year, topping both the batting and bowling charts. She did brilliantly with both against the Netherlands, and the team will hope she carries forward her form.

Squads

**Papua New Guinea:**Pauke Siaka (c), Natasha Ambol, Vicky Ara'a, Kaia Arua, Helen Buruka (wk), Veru Kila Frank, Sibona Jimmy, Kopi John, Ravini Oa, Tanya Ruma, Brenda Tau (wk), Mairi Tom, Isabel Toua, Naoani Vare

**United Arab Emirates:**Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne, Chaya Mughal, Esha Oza, Heena Hotchandani, Ishni Senavirathna, Judit Cleetus, Kavisha Kumari, Namita D’Souza, Neha Sharma, Nisha Ali, Roopa Nagaraj, Subha Srinivasan, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi