PNG win first up against Fiji

PNG has opened their 2012 Pepsi ICC East Asia-Pacific campaign with a comfortable 69 run win over hosts Fiji at Central College in Lautoka.

Man of the match was awarded to young PNG leg-spinner Ruma Igua whose four wickets gave the tournament favourites the ideal start to the event.

"There were certainly areas we needed to improve on today," said PNG coach Peter Moide. "We lost our way a little bit in the middle overs with the bat and bowled a few too many wides, but overall the boys responded well and it was a good win."

PNG were sent in to bat and took early advantage of the near perfect conditions to race to 30 off the first three overs.

However some accurate bowling from Sakiusa Dokosobau and Sowane Puamau saw Fiji claim three wickets in two overs and bring them right back into the contest.

The experience of PNG then came to the fore as they steadied to post the solid total of 9-134 off their 20 overs.

Napolioni Gu and Metuisela Beitaki got Fiji off to a bright start in reply cruising to 1-40 off the first eight overs.

From that moment on however PNG once again stepped it up a notch and took complete control of the match claiming Fiji's last nine wickets for just 25 runs.

The dominant display from PNG was set up first in the field with three terrific run outs and consolidated by young leg spinner and man of the match Ruma Igua who finished with the fantastic figures of 4-4.

This afternoon sees Fiji take on Vanuatu at 2pm local time.

Scores in Brief

At Central College, Lautoka
PNG 9-134, 20 overs (Hekure 21, Patana 20; Tuinasau 3-13)
Fiji 65 all out, 17.4 overs (Beitaki 10; Igua 4-4)
PNG won by 69 runs
Man of the Match: Ruma Igua (PNG)