ICC World Twenty20 East Asia-Pacific Qualifier- A commenced today as all 4 sides of group A played two matches each on day 1.
ICC World Twenty20 East Asia Pacific Qualifier is divided into two groups with 4 teams on each group. Group A got under-going from today as host Fiji, PNG, Vanuatu and Samoa are four participating nations. Group B is scheduled to held in Philippines along with Indonesia, Japan and South Korea from 1st December. Top two teams of Group A will be joined by top team of Group B in regional final. These tournaments is based on double round-robin method where each teams will face each other twice.
It was exciting day one which belonged to Papua New Guinea, who registered two huge win. Host Fiji started it all with thrilling victory against Vanuatu. Fiji won the toss and opted to field first. Host restricted visitor on decent total of 143 runs, taking 9 wickets in stipulated 20 overs. Tavo’s pairs picked up 5 wickets together with 3 wickets for Kritiano Tavo. Fiji was asked to score 14 runs in last 6 balls with a 4 wickets in hand. They smashed 15 off it, losing a wicket and registered famous 3 wickets win against Vanuatu. Beitaki topped their batting card with 52 runs off 31 balls including 6 fours and 3 sixes.
PNG outplayed Samoa in second match of the day. Tony Ura smashed daddy hundred after his skipper elected to bat first. He smashed 120 runs off 55 balls with 12 fours and 6 sixes. His innings guided PNG to 209 runs. Chasing it, Samoa finished way short of target as they faced 80 runs defeat.
Fiji was up against strong PNG in third match of the day. PNG thrashed Fiji by huge margin of 75 runs. Fielding first, host conceded 188 runs. Later on they failed to chase it and lost the match by 75 runs. Skipper Vala scored maximum 70 runs for PNG.
Winless, Vanuatu and Samoa were up against each other in 4th and final match of the day. Samoa added 144 runs in inscribed 20 overs, after being asked to bat first. Later on, they restricted Vanuatu on 127 runs, taking all wickets within 19 overs. Samoa registered 17 runs win to sign-off day on winning momentum.
4 teams participating tournament will have double header tomorrow as Samoa will face Fiji and Vanuatu will play with PNG.
