Barras showing impresses Patel

PAPUA New Guinea coach Dipak Patel, pictured, said he was satisfied after the Barramundis hard-fought 26-run victory over hosts, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the second One Day International ICC World Cricket League Championships (WCLC) Round 5 fixture last Sunday in Abu Dhabi.
“It was a very good win, to bounce back after the loss in the first game. The most pleasing was we improved in all aspects of our game. We played with passion and commitment,” Patel said.
The former New Zealand Test and ODI player said he was confident the Barramundis total was defendable but added the team could have easily posted 30 to 40 more runs if one or two in the top order carried their bat through the innings.
“We felt 232 wasn’t enough, but as long as we bowled and fielded to our potential, we could put them (UAE) under pressure.
“Vani  Vagi Morea and Dogodo Bau’s contributions were very handy, but most of our batsmen were disappointing, throwing away good starts. We should have scored 260-270.”
Despite not being able to make a dent in the home side’s run chase early on the Barras, led by their slow ballers, put the screws on the UAE innings to turn the game in PNG’s favour.
“Not sure we were confident, but we believed we could turn it around.
“They were cruising, then we got a lucky break with a run-out and we capitalised at the crucial moment,” Patel said.