Barras’ ODI status hopes dashed

WINDHOEK: Papua New Guinea’s hopes of qualifying for the 2023 Cricket World Cup are all but over after slumping to a three-wicket defeat by Canada in their latest match at the World Cricket League 2 event in Namibia on Wednesday.
After electing to bat first, the Barramundis found themselves in trouble with Tony Ura out LBW on the first ball of the match at Windhoek.
Charles Amini and Chad Soper departed cheaply as PNG slumped to 15 for 3 in the eighth over.
Captain Assad Vala, pictured, was the only bright spot with the bat, top scoring with 82 from 112 balls — with no other teamate managing more than 17 runs — and was the last man dismissed as the Barramundis were all out for 154.
The veteran all rounder also proved effective with the ball, nabbing 2 for 24 from an economical 10 overs but he was unable to prevent the Canadians from reaching their victory target with more than 15 overs to spare, to give them their first win of the competition.
PNG have lost three of their four matches to date and must now beat top of the table Oman by a large margin in their final group match and hope the USA and Namibia score big wins against Canada and Hong Kong to give them any hope of a top four finish to earn promotion to Cricket World Cup League 2, which forms part of the qualifying process for the 2023 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Oman and USA are both guaranteed ODI status after wins over Namibia and Hong Kong respectively.
Oman stayed perfect in tournament action after a dramatic four-wicket win over hosts Namibia.
Oman’s passage to ODI status and more competitive cricket had already been confirmed earlier in the day when Canada downed PNG, but they finished the job in style anyway as Sandeep Goud’s unbeaten half-century saw off Namibia.
Defeat for the home nation in Windhoek means they must wait to secure their spot in the battle to qualify for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.
USA confirmed their berth in League 2 after downing Hong Kong.
Both Oman and USA join Scotland, Nepal and the UAE in League 2, where they will play 36 ODIs each over a two-and-a-half year period on the road to Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
PNG 154 all out (Assad Vala 82; Dillon Heyliger 4-41, Romesh Eranga 2-23) Canada 155/7 (Davy Jacobs 52 not out, Bhavindu Adhihetty 22; Nosaina Pokana 2-20). Canada won by three wickets.
Standings: Oman 8 (0.686), USA 6 (1.105), Namibia 4 (0.923), Hong Kong 2 (-0.529), Canada 2 (-0.74), PNG 2 (-1.512).
Fixtures: Fri, April 26 – PNG v Oman; Sat, April 27 – Finals. – RadioNZ