Papua New Guinea beat Kenya by 45 runs, qualify for next year's T20 World Cup

Dubai: Papua New Guinea on Sunday secured their place in the ICC men’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia next year with a 45-run win over Kenya, here. Since Netherlands could not beat Scotland in 12.3 overs of their chase, it sent PNG into the premier event Down Under next year. They were reduced to 19 for six within four overs, and it seemed they had blown their opportunity to secure automatic qualification. However, led by Norman Vanua’s fighting 48-ball 54, PNG recovered to post 118 in 19.3 overs.

PNG ARE GOING TO AUSTRALIA!#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/UjXrM4dkUA

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 27, 2019

Kenya had Irfan Karim scoring a 22-ball 29, and that meant they were 40 for one after the Powerplay. However, the slide began. There were only two more scores that reached double digits: Collins Obuya made a 19-ball 10, and Aman Gandhi fought to a 25-ball 14.

Assad Vala returned a brilliant 3/7, and Nosaina Pokana provided superb support with his 3/21. Kenya were bundled out for 73 in 18.4 overs Having done their bit, the PNG players waited in anticipation for the Netherlands result. The Dutch won by four wickets, but it wasn’t sufficient on the day. They will have to go through the playoffs to reach Australia.