Kenya beat Papua New Guinea (PNG) by 14 runs in a low scoring affair to secure the 15th place in the ICC 2018 U-19 Cricket World Cup Mainpower Oval, Rangiora.
It was PNG who grabbed the advantage to start with; having been asked to field. They struck twice within the first four overs, and seven times in the first 26 to reduce Kenya to 84 for 7. opening bowlers James Tau and Semo Kamea who did most of the damage picking five wickets between each other.
However, a 60-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Jayant Mepani and Sidhart Vasudev helped Kenya post 176 runs on the board.
In reply, PNG also lost wickets at regular intervals as Gerad Mwendwa broke the backbone of their batting line-up picking four wickets. However, valiant efforts from Ovia Sam (30) and Nou Rana (47) couldn’t take their team over the ropes as they fell 14 runs short.
Jayant Mepani, who earlier rose to the occasion to surge his team with the bat once again came to the party doing the job with the ball. He bagged three wickets to match his 44* with the bat to be adjudged the man-of-the-match.
It was a disappointing tournament for both the teams, but surely they will take a lot back from here which will help them n future fixtures.
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