Barras lose second T20 match to Irish

 PAPUA New Guinea fell short by seven runs against Ireland in a rain-shorted T20 International at Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville on Sunday. 

After being humbled by five wickets in Game 1, the Hebou-sponsored Barramundis looked to bounce back in the second. 

Captain, Jack Vare, pictured, won the toss and sent Ireland into bat. 

After only one ball by Assad Vala, the heavens opened up to see the match delayed.

When play finally started back two hours later, the match was reduced to eleven overs. 

Ireland looked to take PNG’s bowling attack apart, hitting boundaries at will to eventually post 96/5.

Stuart Poynter 35 (24) and William Porterfield 30 (15) were the leading run-scorers for Ireland while Pipi Raho (3/11) and Vala (2/19) were the pick of the bowlers. 

In reply, the in-form Vala was pushed to open with Vani Vagi Morea needing nine runs per over for victory. 

Morea and Lega Siaka fell early, but Vala kept the score ticking over to guide to 41/2 in the fifth over. 

After hitting Andy McBrine for a massive six, Vala tried a reverse sweep and was clean bowled for an entertaining 25 runs off 15 balls. 

When Sese Bau was clean bowled three balls later, PNG slumped to 41/4. 

Unfortunately, the Barramundis never recovered to eventually posted 89/9 off their allotted 11 overs despite some lower order hitting by Norman Vanua (26*).  

George Dockrell (3/18) and Max Sorensen (3/24) picked up three wickets each. 

“It was a difficult match today with the match being shorted to 11 overs,” said a dejected PNG opening bowler, Pipi Raho. 

“I was very pleased with my efforts with the ball today but still very disappointed to lose again. 

“I still had some hope at the end with Norman (Vanua) batting as he was as he had some success against Ireland with the bat in the past. 

“If only our middle order could scrape with some more runs, we would have won today,” Raho said. 

The Barramundis take on Ireland in their final T20I today before flying back to Port Moresby tomorrow.