PNG capture EAP Twenty20 crown

The Papua New Guinea Barramundi?s have been crowned as EAP T20 Champions after a resounding victory over a gallant Fiji Blues outfit in Apia, Samoa on Friday.

Both PNG and Fiji topped their respective groups undefeated after strong wins in the final round this morning, with PNG star Assad Vala (79) and Josefa Baba (103 not-out) the standouts.

In the playoff, the Barramundi?s won the toss and elect to bat in stifling heat, with Assad Vala and Vani Vagi Morea opening the innings. Both openers reached 12 before Fiji?s Kida took two outstanding catches off the bowling of Baba to set the Blues alight.

Enter Captain Chris Amini and dreadlocked young gun Jeremiah Nigani, who pounded the Fijian bowling in to submission with an amazing display of power and class.

Nigani belted the ball out of the ground consistently, reaching his half-century in just 27 balls, before finally being dismissed for an outstanding 80.

The normally reserved Amini attacked at every opportunity, and led his team superbly in the tough conditions, reaching 82 that included five towering sixes.

The Barramundi?s reached 6 for 208 from their 20 overs, a total that would take some real beating.

Fiji?s innings began disastrously, with star opener Baba run-out from the very first ball, with the Barramundi?s trademark athleticism in the field on show.

With star paceman Willie Gavera in full flight and Loa Nou providing excellent support, 209 was a long way away for the Blues, and when Josefa Rika was forced to retire after being struck on the foot by a Gavera thunderbolt, the target looked even tougher.

Apart from a dashing 60 from veteran Cakacaka, Fiji struggled with the talented PNG bowling line-up, eventually reaching 9 for 107 at the close of innings.

Jeremiah Nigani was justly rewarded for his outstanding hitting display with the Man of the Match award.

In other play-off matches, hosts Samoa easily accounted for a disappointing Japan, chasing down the required 43 runs with ease, while Vanuatu and Tonga also notched wins.

Saturday is the beginning of the 50 over competition, with the chance for a team not already embedded in Pepsi ICC World Cricket League to stake their claim for a position in Division 8 in 2010, while PNG, Fiji and Japan play-off in a round robin competition.