Sport: PNG cricketers lose final warm-up

12:59 pm on 2 March 2018

Papua New Guinea's cricket team have continued their World Cup Qualifying tournament preparation with another loss, this time to Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Earlier in the week PNG lost to Scotland by seven wickets.

Sese Bau sweeps the ball

Sese Bau sweeps the ball Photo: icc cricket

This time around PNG captain Assad Vala won the toss and decided to bat first match, openers Vani Vagi Morea and Lega Siaka getting through to 36 before the latter lost his wicket.

Morea ended up top-scoring for the Barramundis with 58 as they totalled 195 off 49.4 overs.

The home side chased down the target in the 41st over led by half centuries by Hamilton Masakadza and Brendon Taylor who both retired early to give the rest of the line-up some time at the crease.

The pick of the PNG bowlers was Mahuru Dai who grabbed a wicket while remaining relatively economical. Norman Vanua and John Reva captured the only other two wickets to fall.

The tournament proper starts this weekend with PNG set to take on the United Arab Emirates who themselves have lost both their warm up games to Nepal and the West Indies.

Vani Vagi Morea top-scored with 58

Vani Vagi Morea top-scored with 58 Photo: icc cricket

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs