https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-PNG-2nd-ODI-Tin/i-sJS449r
Nadeem spins through Papua New Guinea top order, but Chad Soper’s six turns tide as PNG square the One Day International series against Hong Kong at 1-1 after producing a late fight back to win by 14 runs.
The six wicket haul to PNG opening bowler Chad Soper swung the game the way of the visitors as they successfully defended a score of 201 by dismissing Hong Kong for 186 in the penultimate over.
Hong Kong did look set for victory at 176-6 but lost their last four wickets for 11 runs. Earlier, it was spinner Nadeem Ahmed who starred for Hong Kong taking 4-50 from his 10 overs including the first three scalps.
PNG skipper Assad Vala made 70, which held the innings together in the middle overs on a wicket that turned sharply. Anshuman Rath backed up his impressive performance with the ball in the first game, taking 3-28 from his 10 overs.
In reply, Hong Kong were reduced to 31-3 in the chase, losing both Kinchit Shah and captain Babar Hayat without scoring. Starts were made by Jamie Atkinson (23), Nizakat Khan (33) and Anshuman Rath (21) but ultimately they did not capitalise.
19-year-old Shahid Wasif made an impressive 45 to take the score to 5-154. But the return of Soper brought his end as he became the first PNG player to take a five wicket haul in an ODI.
The late collapse was a major disappointment to coach Simon Cook who lamented his side’s missed chance at taking the series.
“We made the same mistakes as in the first time but this time it cost us,” Cook said. “We didn’t rotate the strike with the bat, which we spoke a lot about, and in the end we put ourselves under pressure because of it. It was a tough pitch and credit to PNG for how they bowled but I’m very disappointed we weren’t able to see it through.”
One Day International Series: Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea
Date: 4, 6, 8 November, 2016
Venue: Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground
Tickets: $500, $30 from Ticketflap
Additional reporting: HKcricket