New Zealand defeated Papua New Guinea by seven wickets in match No. 39 of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad on Monday.
This was second win for the Blackcaps in competition while PNG lost all their group games.
PNG managed to put New Zealand on the back foot with good bowling and early dismissals.
Finn Allen departed on a duck off Kabua Morea, the left-arm medium pacer.
He also dismissed Rachin Ravindra (6) in this third over. The Blackcaps held firm in the chase with Devon Conway taking the charge alongside Kane Williamson.
Conway scored 32-ball 35 before being dismissed by Semo Kamea.
Daryl Mitchell (19*) joined Williamson (18*) and the duo finished the chase in 12.2 overs.
Earlier, PNG were bowled out for 78 after being sent in to bat first
PNG had no answers to New Zealand’s relentless bowling attack, led by Lockie Ferguson.
Ferguson stood out as he bowled four maidens in his spell while picking three wickets. He now holds the record for bowling the most economical spell in the T20 World Cup.
PNG had a dismal start to their innings, losing both openers Tony Ura (1) and Assad Vala (6) within 4.1 overs, with just 14 runs on the board.
Following the early setbacks, Sese Bau joined Charles Amini in the middle in an attempt to mount a recovery.
The pair batted cautiously, adding 27 runs for the third wicket, before Ferguson trapped Amini lbw in the 12th over, securing a much-needed breakthrough for New Zealand.
Amini remained the top scorer for PNG with a 25-ball 17, which included two boundaries.
PNG’s other set batter, Bau, was dismissed an over later by Santner after scoring 12 off 27 balls.
His dismissal triggered a collapse, and PNG lost wickets at an alarming rate, eventually being bowled out for 78 in 19.4 overs.
Right-handed batter Norman Vanua offered some resistance in the death overs for PNG with a 13-ball 14, including one four and a six.
Ferguson was supported by Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Ish Sodhi, who each took two wickets, while Mitchell Santner chipped in with one wicket.
Playing XIs
Papua New Guinea: Assad Vala (c), Tony Ura, Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Hiri Hiri, Kiplin Doriga (wk), Chad Soper, Norman Vanua, Alei Nao, Kabua Morea, Semo Kamea
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
