Vala dominates as Papua New Guinea close in on semi-final spot

Assadollah Vala turned highlights mode on for the second time in succession in Monday afternoon action at the 2013 Pepsi ICC East Asia-Pacific Men's Championship, blasting 71 from 40 balls to help lead Papua New Guinea to victory over nearest rivals Vanuatu by 30 runs on Waikaraka Park's number 1 wicket.

In the clearest signalling of intentions possible, Vala hit the first ball of the match back over the bowler's head for six into the adjoining cemetery.

Vala continued in similar vein throughout as Vanuatu skipper Andrew Mansale's only over was taken apart for 22, three sixes and a four peppering the boundaries and sending fielders searching for lost balls in the undergrowth.

Vala and Tony Ura put on a century opening stand in nine overs before both departed soon after.

Chris Kent continued the assault alongside Chris Amini as the Barramundis again flourished in the final five overs, stitching together 62 runs to take PNG up to an imposing 199-7.

Chasing an even 200, Vanuatu came out swinging from the hip as Trevor Langa dispatched 18 runs from the opening over, creaming two fours and a six off Hitolo Areni.

Shrugging off the vital loss of captain Andrew Mansale, caught at point off a firm cut for just 11, Langa then took to Norman Vanua with two blows sailing over the head of long-on.

But PNG speedster Willie Gavera, who had removed Mansale, trapped Langa lbw for 43 en route to a deserved five-wicket haul after troubling the Vanuatu batsmen consistently with his pace proving hard to handle.

"It was a tough match today, but Tony and Assad got us off to a great start with the bat, and despite a shaky start for us with the ball we fought back hard for a good win," said Gavera.

Despite a brave 57 from Nalin Nipiko which saw Vanuatu on track at the 11th over, Vanuatu eventually succumbed to the constant pressure of the required run rate, falling short by 30 runs to end on a valiant 169-9.

In the battle of the only two winless sides so far on Waikaraka Park 6, it was Japan who came out on top over Indonesia by 8 wickets.

The Indonesian openers put on 46 for the first wicket before the Japanese change bowlers tore the heart out of the top and middle order to reduce them to 61-7, eventually terminating Indonesia's innings at 93 all out.

Japanese skipper Alexander Patmore then anchored the run-chase, compiling an unbeaten half-century as Japan savoured their opening success in the event.

Fiji continued their impressive run of form in the tournament, piling up an impressive 178-6 batting first against the Cook Islands before going on to win by 78 runs on Waikaraka Park 7.

Their openers Colin Rika and Sekove Ravoka again gave them a solid start, posting 74 together in 9.1 overs before the former departed for 33.

Ravoka continued on to make 59 and Joji Bulabalavu chipped in with a breezy 27 from 13 balls before a mini-collapse allowed the Cooks to limit the damage in the end overs.

However the Fijians were clinical with the ball and never gave the Cooks a chance of chasing the runs down, bowling them out for 100 to continue their feat of having tasted only victory so far in the competition.

The tournament pauses for a rest day on Tuesday, with matches to resume on Wednesday morning at 10.30am.

Wednesday's Matches (Morning) ? Round 5

Fiji v Papua New Guinea
Waikaraka Park 2

Cook Islands v Japan
Waikaraka Park 6

Indonesia v Samoa

Waikaraka Park 7

Scores in Brief

At Waikaraka Park 1

Papua New Guinea 199-7, 20 overs (A Vala 71, C Kent 40*, Chris Amini 23*; N Unavalu 3-34)

Vanuatu 169-9, 20 overs (N Nipiko 57, T Langa 43; W Gavera 5-23, N Vanua 2-35)

Papua New Guinea won by 30 runs

Man of the Match: Willie Gavera (Papua New Guinea)

At Waikaraka Park 6
Indonesia 93 all out, 17.3 overs (V Bhammer 25, F Nato 21; Naoki Miyaji 2-10, Naotsune Miyaji 2-12, T Takada 2-14, M Taniyama 2-19)
Japan 94-2, 16.1 overs (A Patmore 54*)

Japan won by 8 wickets

Man of the Match: Alexander Patmore (Japan)

At Waikaraka Park 7

Fiji 178-6, 20 overs (S Ravoka 59, C Rika 33, J Bulabalavu 27; M Emile 3-15, T Teinaki 2-24)
Cook Islands 100 all out, 17.1 overs (T Etita 36; V Mateiwaqa 3-22, E Browne 2-10, S Draunivudi 2-22, I Cakacaka 2-27)

Fiji won by 78 runs

Man of the Match: Sekove Ravoka (Fiji)

2013 Pepsi ICC East Asia-Pacific Men's Championship Table

For results, live scores and information on the 2013 Pepsi ICC EAP Men's Championships please go to:
http://www.icc-cricket.com/the-icc/icc_members/eap/senior-men/fixtures.php

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook for images and videos from the tournament