Papua New Guinea and Fiji unbeaten on opening day

PNG has reinforced its status as pre-tournament favorites after a dominant display on day one of the EAP T20 tournament.

The Barramundis ripped through Japan in the morning match, skittling them for an extremely disappointing 21. The Japanese batting had no answer to the pace of Willie Gavera and Loa Nou. The Barramundis then easily reached the required total for the loss of no wickets.

In their afternoon match, the Barramundis again stamped its authority on the competition in a commanding bowling display, knocking over the Cook Islands for just 42. Once more it was a comfortable chase, and PNG certainly look the strong favorites to win the inaugural 2009 Pepsi ICC EAP T20 Trophy.

Fiji is also undefeated, having beaten a determined Vanuatu in the morning, before outplaying hosts Samoa in the afternoon.

Joji Bulabalavu continued his outstanding Twenty20 form stemming from the Bi-Lateral Series against Vanuatu earlier this year, smashing a brilliant 90 including eight towering sixes. Vanuatu could only watch as ball after ball disappeared over the boundary.

PNG sit atop the table with a strong net run rate, followed by Fiji also with two wins, while Samoa, Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Japan all have a win each.

Tonga and Indonesia will be searching for its first points when round three gets underway in Samoa on Friday.