Hosts Papua New Guinea beat Hong Kong 2-1 in the 3-game One Day Series at Port Moresby last week. After big losses in the first two games -by 76 and 139 runs- HK bounced back to win the dead rubber by 5 wickets.

This series played host to numerous outstanding individual performances, the best of which was Lega Siaka’s 188* in the first OD game on Tuesday (9^th Oct). Coming in to bat with the score at 34/4 in the 12^th over, he brought up his century in the 40^th, and proceed to hit another 88 in the final 10 overs (out of the 122 PNG scored) to lift his side to 341/9!

It was an incredible recovery after Ehsan Nawaz had taken apart the PNG top order cheaply. Lega Siaka joined Charles Amini Jnr. in the middle, and they put on 46 runs until Ehsan Khan (2/59) struck, removing Amini LBW for 33. Siaka and Jason Kila then scored 64 for the 6^th wicket at about run-a-ball, but Kila was runout for 27 in the 30th over. At 134/6 with 20 overs left in the innings it looked like PNG would struggle to bat the full 50.

But Lega Siaka had other plans. The PNG veteran put on 83 runs in the next 10 overs with Chad Soper (27) to take PNG past 200, and then really cut loose in the final 10 to take them well past 300. Norman Vanua provided support from the other end (scoring the third 27 off the innings), and Lega's last 19 balls brought 59 runs, including five consecutive sixes in a row. In all his innings took 118 balls and consisted of 12 sixes and 10 fours. His incredible display of hitting saw PNG score 208 runs in the final 20 overs, as they went from a precarious position to a match-winning score. Ehsan Nawaz was the standout bowler for HK, taking 4/26 in his 9 overs.

Chasing 342 was always going to be difficult, but HK gave it a good try. Nizakat Khan hit 58 and Waqas Khan 56 -both of them continuing their fine form from the T20 Series- but no one could repeat Lega Siaka's heroics. PNG's bowling was disciplined, and they struck at regular intervals to halt HK's progress - the largest partnership we were able to manage was the opening partnership of 65 runs. Chad Soper, Charles Amini Jnr. And John Boge Reva took 8 wickets between them, and HK were bowled out for 265 in 48.3 overs.

PNG 341/9 (50) beat HK 265 a/o (48.3) by 76 runs
1^st Innings Scoresheet
2^nd Innings Scoresheet

The teams were back in action the very next day for the second game, and PNG went on to score above 300 again after HK won the toss and elected to bowl first. This time it was a team effort. Tony Ura lead the way with 70 off just 57 balls (8 fours and 2 sixes) opening the batting, followed by CJ Amini Jnr. (62 off 78 balls, 5 fours) keeping the pace up in the middle overs, and Norman Vanua (62* off 37 balls, 3 fours 5 sixes) delivering the final flourish. The final 5 overs of the innings brought 69 runs for PNG, and they finished on 319/8 in their 50.

They were sharp in the field too, running out Nizakat Khan in the 7th over for 23. Anshuman and Umar took HK to 74/1 in 14 overs before the top order collapsed - the two of them and Raag Kapur being dismissed within 14 runs. From 88/4 in 20 overs, victory seemed unlikely, and PNG kept striking to eventually bowl HK out for 180 in 45.4 overs. Waqas Khan and Anshuman Rath both top scored with 33 each. Damien Ravu finished with 3/35 in 8 overs, and Lega Siaka followed up his 188* the day before with 2/25 in 8 overs. An impressive all-round showing by the hosts to win them the series with a game to spare!

PNG 319/8 (50) beat HK 180 a/o (45.4) by 139 runs
1^st Innings Scoresheet
2^nd Innings Scoresheet

Both sides got a day’s rest, and the 3^rd and final game was played on Friday. HK lost the toss and were put in to field first for the third game in a row. However, this time things went much better for the side. A four-wicket burst from Tanveer Ahmed and good spells by spinners Ghazanfer and Ehsan Khan saw HK bowl PNG out for just 163.

Kiplin Doriga (34) and Tony Ura (26) started the innings well for PNG, putting on 52 in the first 7 overs before Ura nicked Aizaz Khan behind. After 12 overs the score read 77/1, and that's when the collapse started. Tanveer caught Doriga out LBW in the 13th over and bowled a double-wicket maiden in the 15th. He then dismissed Assad Vala in the 19th over, and suddenly PNG were 91/5. The spinners then chipped in with a few wickets of their own, and when Norman Vanua was caught by Nizakat Khan PNG were 102/8 and had lost their last 7 wickets for just 21 runs. Damien Ravu scored 29* to take PNG past 150, and they were bowled out for 163 in 37.3 overs

Chasing a consolation victory, HK got off to the worst possible start. Damien Ravu, Norman Vanua and John Boge Reva tore through the top order to leave us reeling at 26/5 in 8 overs. Kiplin Doriga took 4 catches and HK were in deep trouble.

Enter Aizaz and Waqas Khan. Together they first stabilised the innings, started finding their range, and eventually finished the game off in grand style. Waqas batted 63 balls for his 40*, putting in yet another excellent performance, while Aizaz Khan stole the show. His 98* came off just 70 balls, with 30 runs coming off his final 7. Showing off his often-underrated batting talent, he and Waqas put on 141 runs in just 20.5 overs to seal a comprehensive 5 wicket victory for the side.

HK 167/5 (28.5) beat PNG 163 a/o (37.3) by 5 wickets
1^st Innings Scoresheet
2^nd Innings Scoresheet

A good end to a good tour. This series proved to be an excellent learning opportunity for the newer players, with some of them stepping up to the challenge and putting in good performances. Waqas Khan was one of the top scorers in each of the three games and finished with 129 runs for only twice dismissed. Ghazanfer Mohammad bowled well to maintain an economy rate of 4.39 across the three games, and the brothers Tanveer and Ehsan Nawaz each picked up a 4-wicket haul.

Congratulations to PNG for the victories, in both the T20 and OD series, and a big thank you to Cricket PNG for hosting us! We aim to return the favour later this month at the West Pacific and South China Cups, hosted at our very own Tin Kwong Road Recreational Ground. Click here to read more about these upcoming tournaments!