USA Whip PNG By 117 Runs At World Cup Qualifiers

United States of America (USA) crushed Papua New Guinea (PNG) by 117 runs in their fourth match on Sunday in Namibia at the 2023 World Cup 50-overs Qualifiers.

USA won the toss and without hesitation opted to take first strike. They reached a formidable 235-7 from the allotment of 50-overs while PNG, in reply, struggled to 118 all out in the 35th over.

Opening batsman Steven Taylor led the way for USA with a well-composed 81 decorated with six fours and a six from 133 balls. He got useful support from the inform Aaron Jones who made an impressive 65 having slammed two fours and three sixes. Jessy Singh scored 22 towards the end as left-arm seamer Semo Kamea picked up 3-32 from his maximum ten overs and Captain Assad Vala collected 2-34 in off ten overs.

For PNG, Vala, the experienced campaigner, returned with the bat to make a fighting 42.

Occasional off-spinner Gajanand Singh grabbed 4-15 from 6.5 overs while high-profile fast-bowler Ali Khan snatched 3-31 from six overs and left-arm orthodox spinner Nisarg Patel with 2-31 off eight tidy overs.

USA now have three wins and in the process reclaimed top spot on the points table. United Arab Emirates sitting at number 2 with six points too from four encounters as well and Canada are occupying the number 3 position with two wins and a defeat. Jersey at number 4 and PNG languishing at the bottom without a victory.

USA will be back in action on Tuesday against Jersey. The competition will conclude on Thursday with the two top teams progressing to the next Qualifiers tournament slated to be held in Zimbabwe July/August.

This is the continued Qualification Pathway for the International Cricket Council’s World Cup event to be staged in India October/November this year.