CPNG mourns losses

TRAGICALLY, Kumul Petroleum Papua New Guinea Barramundis trio Nosaina Pokana, Charles Amini Jr and Kipling Doriga all lost a parent in the last two days.
Pokana lost his father Ricky, Amini lost his mother Kunemo Rupa, and Doriga lost his mother Naomi.
Cricket PNG expressed “our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Pokana, Amini and Doriga families”.
“The loss of a parent at any time is hard to come to terms with, it is especially hard on our young athletes, who proudly represent their families, as well as their beloved PNG, on this historic tour so far from home,” the sport’s national governing body said in a statement yesterday.
“Each of these young men are doing their parents proud and dedicating themselves in their honour.”
Despite these sad and sudden losses to their families, the Barramundis took the field against Scotland in Oman overnight.
Bonded in adversity, they put together their best innings of the tour, 226 for eight off 50 overs, with Norman Vanua top-scoring with 57 runs off 52 balls, and Chad Soper again showing his class with 39 runs off 46 balls.
Scotland’s Michael Leask was outstanding with the ball, taking three for 19 runs off 10 overs.
With the ball, Kabua Morea took two wickets for 40 off 10 overs, and you can never keep Soper out of the game with two wickets for 48 runs off eight overs.
Unfortunately, the Barras were narrowly defeated with seven balls to spare, with man of the match Leask hitting the winning runs as he moved his score to 51 off 34 balls, in a quick cameo to support Kyle Coetzer in his anchor innings of 81 runs off 103 balls.
This was a much-improved showing from the Barramundis in this format of the game, despite the tragedy they are dealing with.
“Today, cricket was secondary to life, and a loss on the field was nothing compared to the loss at home our team has felt,” the governing said.
“Through adversity, our team continues to show strength of character, family and faith.”