Barras secure victories

PNG beat Bermuda, Namibia in T20 World Cup qualifiers

PAPUA New Guinea got off to a flying start with victories over Bermuda and Namibia at the T20 World Cup qualifiers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Bowler Norman Vanua (3-14) etched his name into the history books with a hat-trick to help PNG (90/0) to a 10-wicket win over Bermuda (89 all out) on Saturday and yesterday Tony Ura hit 71 runs off 42 balls in the Barramundis’ (197/7) 81-run win over the Namibia (116 all out).
The 25-year-old Vanua became the first PNG player to claim an international hat-trick and 10th overall bowler to claim a T20I hat-trick at the International Cricket Council Academy Ground in Dubai.
Bermuda were dismissed for 89 in the 17th over.
Captain Assad Vala, pictured, (53 not out) and opening partner Ura (33 not out) combined to reach the target in the 11th over.
Against Namibia yesterday, PNG put on 197/7 thanks to a century stand from Vala (48) and Ura (71), and the skipper chipped in with the ball taking 3-19 as the Barras scored another impressive victory.
Coach Joe Dawes’ side sits on top of Group A with a net run rate of 4.337 ahead of Netherlands, who also have two wins but have a NRR of 1.85.
PNG play Scotland today in their third match.
General manager Lee McDowell said last week that Cricket PNG had confidence in Dawes’ processes the get the Barramundis prepared for the tournament.