Wounded PNG, Hong Kong look to make amends
Overview
Papua New Guinea v Hong Kong
Old Hararians Sports Club
CWCQ 9th/10th place play-off
Saturday 17 March; 09:30 local, 7:30 GMT
Hong Kong started the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 with some promise. A strong batting performance set up a 30-run win (DLS method) over Afghanistan. They had a decent shot at making it to the Super Sixes even. They also had in their side the highest run-getter and highest wicket-taker of the ICC World Cricket League Championship.
However, it all went pear shaped for them after that. Since the Afghanistan game, they’ve been bowled out for 174, 153 and 130. Most disappointing was the final group stage game against Nepal, who hadn’t managed a single win until then.
The batting has been the big letdown. Anshy Rath has two fifties and Babar Hayat one, but apart from them, no other batsman has more than 120 runs.
The bowling has been the stronger suit, with Ehsan Khan leading the charts with 13 in five matches. But, with not enough runs to defend, they too have struggled to bowl out oppositions.
As disappointed with themselves will be Papua New Guinea. An enthusiastic and driven bunch of men, the loss of ODI status will rankle, as will their inability to notch a single win so far.
Only two batsmen have made at least 80 runs in the tournament, and even in that, nearly 75 per cent of Tony Ura’s 202 runs came in that one incredible innings of 151.
There will be no better time than now for both teams to prove they are capable of fighting it out in the big leagues.
Key players
Babar Hayat (Hong Kong): After a quiet competition so far, Hayat finally found his touch with 52 in the previous game against the Netherlands. The challenge for him now, though, will be as captain. He has to lead from the front and rally his men for one last charge.
Norman Vanua (PNG): The medium pacer has 10 wickets from five matches, putting him in the top 10 wicket-takers in the tournament. He has formed a strong partnership with Alei Nao with the new ball, and PNG will be looking to them again to provide the early breakthroughs.
Conditions
It will be a pleasant day in Harare, with highs of around 26°C and some clouds. Old Hararians has seen some tall totals posted.
Squads
Hong Kong: Babar Hayat (c), Ahsan Abbasi, Nadeem Ahmed, Tanveer Ahmed, Tanwir Afzal, Waqas Barkat, Chris Carter, Aizaz Khan, Ehsan Khan, Ehsan Nawaz, Nizakat Khan, Scott McKechnie (wk), Anshuman Rath, Simandeep Singh, Shahid Wasif
Papua New Guinea: Assadollah Vala (c), Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Mahuru Dai, Kiplin Doriga, Jason Kila, Vani Morea, Alei Nao, Damien Ravu, John Reva, Lega Siaka, Chad Soper, Tony Ura, Jack Vare (wk), Norman Vanua