Two-time champions West Indies were put under extreme pressure by a courageous Papua New Guinea unit before surviving with a five-wicket win in their 2024 T20 World Cup opener here on Sunday. Left-hander Sese Bau (50 off 43) made a fine half-century to take PNG to 136 for eight after the associate nation lost their first four wickets for 50 runs. The power-packed West Indies should have comfortably chased down the subpar total, but PNG made them work hard for victory despite their limitations.
PNG’s spinners and medium pacers did not allow the hard-hitting West Indies batsmen to get loose on a slow surface. The tournament co-hosts finally reached home in 19 overs thanks to rearguard action from Roston Chase (42 not out off 27 balls) and Andre Russell (15 off 9).
The West Indies innings was interrupted for 20 minutes due to rain, but there was no loss of overs. The flurry of passes arrived with the home team at 8 for one in the second over and it would have been two less on the same score had right pacer Alei Nao won an lbw review for the dangerous Nicholas Pooran.
After trapping Johnson Charles off his first ball, Nao got another to hit back and leave Pooran stranded, but luck was on the latter’s side. However, his rough effort ended when he was hit by left-arm spinner John Kariko.
PNG captain Assad Vala made 63 for three inside 10 overs when he deceived opener Brandon King (34) in flight and caught him at mid-wicket. Nerves rose in the West Indies dressing room as it reached 97 for five in 16 overs before Chase and Russell took control.
After PNG were sent in to bat, Bau made an instant impact on the big stage with his spirited effort.
PNG, playing their second T20 World Cup, were reeling at 50 for four before Bau shared a 44-run stand with Charles Amini (12) to save them from the blushes.
Expecting the pitch to change, West Indies picked three spinners and fielded the opponent after winning the toss.
The help for the spinners was visible in Akeal Hosein’s first over bowl.
However, it was pacer Romário Shepherd who took the first wicket when Tony Ura was caught behind in the second over of the game. The ball came out, inducing a thick edge on the batsman.
Hosein got rid of number three Lega Siaka with an arm ball before Alzarri Joseph sent Vala back (21 off 22 balls). Vala played some neat shots through the cover region before being caught brilliantly by Roston Chase at the crease.
Vala’s six-over extra cover against spinner Chase in the previous over was one of the highlights of PNG’s innings.
Bau then ensured that the odd boundary continued to appear as PNG tried to consolidate their innings.
Bau, a left-hander like Vala, hit left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie for a six and two fours to give the innings the boost it needed.
After his departure, the associate nation did very well to get close to the 140-run mark.
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