Vanuatu join PNG for next stage

Vanuatu will join Papua New Guinea in the regional final of the ICC World T20 East Asia-Pacific Qualifiers despite losing to their fellow Melanesians in Fiji yesterday.
PNG were too good for Vanuatu and Samoa upset Fiji on the final day in Suva.
PNG finished the tournament undefeated to win the qualifier and Vanuatu snuck into the second qualifying position on net-run rate.
PNG were calm and composed with another strong bowling performance against a rejuvenated Vanuatu, who were riding high after back-to-back wins on Tuesday.
PNG captain Assad Vala (4/22 off four) showed why he is one of the most dangerous T20 players in the region, taking four wickets and helping restrict Vanuatu to just 145 runs. Vala’s effort earned him his third player of the match award in the tournament.
Vanuatu, with a qualification spot on the line, were hoping that their bowlers could do the same against a PNG side who had not scored below 150 runs in any innings in the tournament.
Vanuatu kept fighting but in the end, they never had enough runs, as PNG passed the target with more than an over to spare and wickets in hand.
Jason Kila (41 off 25) held the middle order together while Vala (40 off 26) continued his fine form with the bat.
Vala praised his team’s hard work leading up to the tournament.
“It’s been a tough five months for us, to get the reward for the work we’ve put in during this week has been really enjoyable,” he said.
“To come into the middle and execute under pressure is the most important thing for me.”
PNG and Vanuatu now progress to the regional final to be played next year, where they will be joined by the winner of the B qualifer.
Match summary: Vanuatu 145/9 (Vira 39, Mansale 23; Vala 4-25) PNG 146/8 (Kila 41, Vala 40; Matautaava 3-27, Blake 3-29) . PNG won by 2 wickets, with 8 balls remaining.