Wednesday, 27 November 2013

PNG vs Hong Kong

2 teams. By tomorrow afternoon 1 team will be going home knowing they've book a ticket to Bangladesh and the other will be heart broken, reflecting on all the hard work and sacrifices made to get so far into this tournament but fall agonisingly short. PNG vs Hong Kong is that match. Hong Kong come into this match on the back of a last ball loss to Nepal but still carrying confidence, PNG on the other hand progressed to this match virtue of a superb bowling performance to beat Namibia in the elimination semi.
A quick word: HK and PNG have been fierce rivals for many years, constantly playing one another for the past 3 seasons. Last year in this very tournament HK had their hearts broken by the Papuans who won on the 2nd last ball, will this anger fuel hk revenge tomorrow? Whatever the case is both sides are desperate to make it to their first ever world cup and this will surely be a match to remember (at least for one nation).
Key Match-ups: 
Pipi Raho vs Irfan Ahmed 
Its opening bowler vs opening batsman. Ahmed has flauted since blasting his century against Canada. Will he finally fire again or will Pipi Raho demolish the Hong Kong attack just like he did against Namibia.
Haseeb Amjad/Tanwir Afrzal vs Tony Ura/Assad vala 
PNGs openers have been in devastating form even without Assad shining the Barras have got off to a great start in nearly every match. Will these continue or will the Right arm quicks from Asia put this to an end.
The way I see it: Pffft this is going to be a tough one. 2 teams, only 1 goes through. Both are desperate to make an impact on the cricketing world, which won will it be? For me theres only one answer. Papua New Guinea. These boys have progressed out of the pool of death and come into this match off the back of another great win whilst HK comes into the match with a confidence denting loss. However whatever the case this match is going to be one to remember. Expect some fireworks.
PNG by 15 runs or 6 wickets.

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

Playoffs: PNG vs Namibia (The big one)

The playoffs have come, the time of the tournament where it is do or die for some sides. PNG vs Namibia is that situation. Namibia has progressed virtue of finishing 4th in group A, whilst Papua New Guinea managed to claim the last spot for the playoffs in group B, largely summed up as the "Pool of death".
Namibia have had arguably the easier run to the finals but take nothing away from them they are here and mean serious business. The common point that comes to praise is Namibia's quality bowling attack. At times there batting has struggled (only passing 140 once in 7 matches) but were they have struggled the bowling has succeeded. Will this be the key factor against PNG?
PNG on the other hand has had an up and down sort of qualification, however at the end of the day they have managed to progressed out of group B. Solid performances against Kenya, Netherlands & Bermuda and a touch of bad luck against Afghanistan has shown the Barramundis potential. Stacked with devastating batsman and some more than handy quicks will PNG have too much firepower for the boys from Africa?
Key Match-ups:
Christi Viljoen vs Tony Ura
Christi Viljoen has had a wonderful past couple of matches including an economical spell against Uganda (3 overs 0-5) a tall man with a unique action can he stop the devastating Tony Ura from smashing another bowling attack to pieces.
Craig Williams vs Charles Amini
Craig Williams has always been the key man to the Namibian batting line up. He comes into this match with form and he will be looking to continue this. However Charles Amini has become PNG's go to man. The Sydney Sixer broke the partnership of J. Tucker and D.Hemp and did the same against scotland. Will williams be spun out by this young superstar?
The way I see it: (With a touch of biasness towards Papua New Guinea) This is going to be a very very close one! Both sides are desperate to get there to the world cup, but with PNG coming out of a much harder group and beating sides like the Netherlands I think they will take this one, but just. Namibia is certainly going to be fired up and will do everything they can to stop the Barras. At the end of they day only one side can progress. PNG by 2 wickets or 8 runs.