Maiden victory for PNG

PAPUA New Guinea’s Under 19 cricketers beat Zimbabwe yesterday in the 13th place play-off of the Youth World Cup.
The Garamuts won by 12 runs evening the scores with the Africans who had earlier beaten them in the group stage.
The win over the the test and one-day  accredited country gave the side a boost and sees the Garamuts head into the 13th place play-off against Nepal (219) who beat Namibia (180) by 39 runs in high spirits.
The heroes for the Garamuts were leg-spinner Charles Amini Jr who scored 63, while openers Dogodo Bau (30), Lega Siaka (50) and Raturima Maha (29) all added valuable runs to the eventual total of 235.
Amini, who has long shown promise as a batting all-rounder, reeled off his top score from 71 balls and included four boundaries and a six.
Zimbabwe’s Luke Jongwe had the best figures, snaring 3-38.
In their run chase, Zimbabwe’s openers Kieran Geyle (42) and Luke Masasire (68) had somewhat contrasting innings with Geyle perhaps a little too cautious taking 122 deliveries to compile his score.
Nayasha Mayavo hit 36 and kept the score board ticking with Jongwe (16) assiating him but the damage was done earlier on with Vagi Morea (3-26) claiming the first three batsmen on Zimbabwe’s card.
The only other score of note was a run-a-ball 20 from Ryan Burl who was caught and bowled by Garamuts skipper and last game centurian Chris Kent (2-26).
In the major play-off matches, Australia (193-6) beat South Africa (191) by four wickets in the semi-finals.
The second semi-final tomorrow is between India and New Zealand.