Barramundis claim series sweep over hosts Nepal

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THE national men’s cricket team claimed the two-day bilateral one-day international (ODI) series after the Barramundis beat hosts Nepal at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground on Friday and Saturday.
Coach Carl Sandri told The National that their aim was to score more runs, which showed in the two wins over Nepal.
The Barramundis defeated Nepal in the first ODI on Friday by six runs and Saturday’s match saw Sandri’s men outclass the hosts by three wickets.
All-rounder Charles Amini and skipper Assad Vala led the run count for their side on Friday. Amini made 77 runs from 103 balls while Vala (60 from 55 balls) hit 11 fours for the Barramundis.
PNG won by six runs with a total of 8/292 in 50 overs with Amini named as the player of the match.
Saturday’s match saw the hosts opting to bat first and ended their innings with a total of 8/278 in 50 overs.
The Barramundis chased down the target through Lega Siaka (90 from 102), Riley Hekure (48 from 45), Sese Bau (38 from 69) and Amini (35 from 30) with a total of 7/283 in 48.7 overs.
Siaka was named as the player of the match for scoring the highest runs while Amini was picked as the player of the series.
Amini told this paper yesterday that he was honoured to receive the award.
“To be named as the player of the series among world-class bowlers and batsmen is humbling,” he said.
“I worked hard this past month and to reap the rewards is satisfying.
“But I couldn’t have done it without the help of my teammates and coaching staff who have done an exceptional job.
“It gives us more confidence going into our next group of matches.” Meanwhile, PNG will open a tri-nation Twenty-20 international series against Nepal today (4.45pm, PNG time). Their next match will be against Malaysia.