Papua New Guinea achieve another first in UAE as former teammate is farewelled
Papua New Guinea have created more history by collecting their first ever win in a women's ODI on tour in Dubai, as former teammate Kaia Arua is farewelled with a service in Port Moresby.
By Daniel Beswick
The Lewas powered to a six-wicket victory over the USA in Dubai on Wednesday, easily chasing down a target of 161 in the first match of an ODI tri-series, also including Scotland. The win comes a fortnight after their first Women's T20I victory of a Full Member, when they defeated Zimbabwe in Harare.
Papua New Guinea v USA scorecard
Isabel Toua claimed Player of the Match honours with figures of 4/38 in her 10 overs, and the seamer was supported by Henao Thomas's 2/33 (10) and one-wicket hauls for Sibona Jimmy, Vicky Araa and Geua Tom.
The experience of Tanya Ruma then shone through with the bat, with the PNG No.3 winning the battle over a young USA attack, seeing the chase home in the 37th over with an unbeaten 80 from 93 deliveries.
Papua New Guinea claim their first victory in a women's One Day International 🙌#PNGvUSA scorecard 📲 https://t.co/PxMB6ZBXON pic.twitter.com/jRrYHBvjd7
— ICC (@ICC) April 12, 2024
As the Lewas claimed their historic victory in Dubai, former women's internationals, the current men's national team and hundreds of fans paid tribute to legend Kaia Arua at Amini Park after her death in the PNG capital last week.
Tributes at the memorial service were led by former PNG men's international Mahuru Dai and Cricket PNG CEO Richard Done for Arua, who led Papua New Guinea in 39 T20Is with official status, playing a significant role in achieving Women's ODI status for her country.
The leading wicket-taker in Women's T20Is for Papua New Guinea, Arua first represented her country in 2010 and took the captaincy on a permanent basis in 2019.