PNG stretches Canada to the limits

Papua New Guinea (PNG) stretched Canada to the limits before going down fighting by six runs in a Group A match in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2012 at the ICC GCA, Oval 1, on Wednesday.

PNG, chasing a stiff 168 runs target, finished at 161 for three after needing 28 runs off two overs and 15 runs off the last six balls.

Opener Asad Vala with a well played 52 led PNG's fight back. The opener faced 48 balls with four fours and together with Geraint Jones (32), added 40 runs for the second wicket in less than six overs. Vala had earlier put on 53 runs for the first wicket with Tony Ura (13) in seven overs.

Jones and Madhuru Dai (30 not out) added 45 runs for the third wicket in just under five overs.

Earlier, Nitish Kumar turned out to be Canada's top scorer with a 57 that came from 44 balls and included seven fours and six. He was later declared man of the match. Hiral Patel with 34 and Jimmy Hansra with 22 were the other notable run-getters for Canada.

Nitish Kumar of Canada said: ?I wasn?t hitting the ball as well as I liked but I was hoping to help give us a decent total, as the wicket was pretty good to bat on.

?We had a rough start yesterday, when we didn?t bat as well as we could, but we made up for that day, but we didn?t bowl or field that well. However, it was good to get the win in.

?A first win in a tournament like this is a huge thing, as it makes the team feel much better.

?I have played Papua New Guinea a few times at under 19 level, but they batted smartly. When we gave them bad balls, they punished them. It was a close game, but in the end the total was a bit big for them.?

At ICC GCA, Oval 1, Canada beat PNG by six runs

Canada 167-5, 20 overs (Nitish Kumar 57, Hiral Patel 34, Jimmy Hansra 22)

PNG 161-3, 20 overs (Asad Vala 52, Geraint Jones 32, Madhuru Dai 30 not out)

Man of the match Nitish Kumar