UAE’s late League 2 drive is derailed by Papua New Guinea.

In the second game of the UAE’s final home trilateral series, last-placed Papua New Guinea ambushed the hosts, dealing a significant blow to the UAE’s hopes of placing third in CWC League 2. Despite a late collapse, the Papuans recovered from yesterday’s humiliation at the hands of Nepal to produce a respectable 262 today, with Sese Bau leading the way with 74 points. The UAE lost by 131 runs as a result of the Emiratis’ poor start to their reply, which saw them lose four wickets in the powerplay and never recover. That was Chad Soper’s second five-wicket haul in an ODI.

In the second game of the UAE’s final home trilateral series, last-placed Papua New Guinea ambushed the hosts, dealing a significant blow to the UAE’s hopes of placing third in CWC League 2. Despite a late collapse, the Papuans recovered from yesterday’s humiliation at the hands of Nepal to produce a respectable 262 today, with Sese Bau leading the way with 74 points. The UAE lost by 131 runs as a result of the Emiratis’ poor start to their reply, which saw them lose four wickets in the powerplay and never recover. Chad Soper claimed his second ODI five-wicket haul.but fell victim to a googly from Karthik Mayyapan’s first delivery in the following over, departing for a 76-ball 74. Riley Hekure was bowled through the gate four balls later by Mayyapan, who finished with numbers of 4-49. The next ball, Hila Vare was LBW on the sweep. Lakra scored his third as the collapse accelerated. Soper holed out to long on, and Kabua Morea was bowled by Zahoor Khan the following ball to end the innings. PNG lost 262 balls after going from 234-3 to 262 all out.

The number would ultimately prove to be more than enough as the hosts’ response was disastrous. Lakra was the first victim, top-edging Semo Kamea to mid-on. Soper then claimed three wickets in quick succession, Muhammad Waseem bowling off an inside edge, CP Rizwan doing the same in his subsequent over, and Rohan Mustafa being caught at slip as the UAE fell to 48-4. Although Vritya Aravind appeared to be quite at ease, Bau’s outstanding effort at short third allowed him to be run out for 23. In spite of Zahoor Khan’s courageous 23 off 25 the tail soon capitulated after Asif Khan left after defying Vala’s arm ball.

After the UAE were bowled out for 131, exactly half of PNG’s total, Soper took two more wickets to end with numbers of 5-25. Due to the loss, the UAE now has to win six of their last seven games to overtake Namibia and claim third position and automatic qualification for the World Cup Qualifier. The outcome increases the risk that they might place last (together with PNG, who will undoubtedly receive the wooden spoon) and jeopardise their ODI status entering the Qualification Play-Off. Due to the USA’s edge in head-to-head records, the Emiratis still trail the Americans by three victories and must overtake them in order to move up to fifth place.

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