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Malaysia T20 Tri-series: PNG win despite Hayat resistance
21 Sep, 2023
Babar Hayat hit 62 but his knock went in vain as his team Hong Kong lost to Papua New Guinea by 22 runs in the Malaysia T20I Tri-series
Babar Hayat’s 62 notwithstanding, Papua New Guinea (PNG) defeated Hong Kong in the Malaysia T20I Tri-series by 22 runs at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday to move to the top of the standings.
The 31-year-old Pakistan born batsman made 62 off 49 balls with three fours and four sixes and was the lone man standing for the Hong Kong team as they struggled to chase the 164-run target set by PNG.
PNG had batted first and scored 163/5 in 20 overs with captain and opener Assad Vala scoring 45 off 35 balls and Lega Siaka making 28.
Right-handed batsmen Hiri Hiri (27 off 14 balls) and Norman Vanua (23 off 10 balls) provided the late fillip as PNG reached their eventual 163-run total.
The chase was on as Hayat added 43 for the second wicket with Nizakat Khan (18) and then put on 53 with No. 4 batsman Shiv Mathur (20) to take the team beyond 100. But at 102, Hong Kong lost both Hayat and Mathur to get derailed in their innings. Ehsan Khan scored unbeaten 22 off 11.
Hayat was the player of the match.
Brief scores: 163/5 in 20 overs (Assad Vala 45, Lega Siaka 28, Hiri Hiri 27, Norman Vanua 23 not out) beat Hong Kong 141/9 in 20 overs (Babar Hayat 62, Ehsan Khan 22 not out, Charles Amini 2/13, Nosaina Pokana 2/17, John Kariko 2/29)
Cricket, Malaysia T20I, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea