Barramundis bounce back to defeat host in tri-series

AN outstanding 124 run partnership between opening batters Sese Bau and Tony Ura yesterday saw the Barramundis defeat hosts Hong Kong by 10 wickets to book a spot in today’s Twenty-20 (T20) international tri-series finals.
Hong Kong posted a total of 121 runs and were all caught out after 18 overs leaving PNG to chase down the 122-run target in just 12 overs, making up for their 85-run loss to Nepal earlier yesterday.
Bau recorded 61 runs off 43 balls including six fours and a six while Ura collected 51 off 33 balls hitting five fours and two sixes to become PNG’s first ever batter to score 1,500 T20I runs.
In their fielding inning against Hong Kong, the Barramundis took out four early wickets in the power-play with player of the match Sese Bau taking out 2/10 in two overs with contributions from skipper Assad Vala (2/13), Alei Nao (2/16) and Kabua Vagi Morea (2/35).
This came after they lost the series opener to Nepal yesterday morning.
PNG opted to bowl first against Nepal who posted a total of 198/6 after 20 overs. In their batting inning, the Barramundis lost regular wickets until they were all caught out in the 16th over after scoring only 113 runs to lose by 85 runs.
Head coach Tatenda Taibu said their first game didn’t go as planned but his men made sure to execute their game plan against Hong Kong to get the win.
“I think we bowled really well in the first 10 overs of the first game and 170 or 180 runs would have been a par score for us to chase,” Taibu said.