PNG put end to Ireland winning streak in World T20 qualifier

Ireland’s winning streak in in World Twenty20 qualifiers came to an abrupt halt at Stormont on Wednesday as Papua New Guinea claimed a shock two-wicket victory to blow Group A wide open.

Ireland had won their first three games of the tournament to make it 21 straight wins in qualifiers and a win against the Pacific Islanders would have left John Bracewell’s side on the verge of qualification for next year’s tournament.

PNG's No 9 batsman Norman Vanua tore up that script by hitting an unbeaten 28 off 10 balls, including three sixes in the penultimate over off John Mooney, to close the gap on Ireland at the top of Group A to just one point with a game in hand.

Vanua’s knock swung the game for after they had fallen to 93 for eight and needed 30 runs from 18 balls.

Skipper William Porterfield’s unbeaten 57 was Ireland’s only meaningful score as they managed 123 for nine before being chased down with seven balls left.

Only Gary Wilson (10) and Alex Cusack (13no) reached double figures after Porterfield as the rest of Ireland's battling attack struggled.

They slipped to 33 for four after losing Niall O'Brien (nine) and Paul Stirling (one) early but Porterfield hit 57 from 58 deliveries to give them hope.

Kevin O’Brien continued his good form, claiming two for 11 after taking three for eight in Monday’s win over Nepal, while John Mooney also took two wickets.

But they failed to stop Vanua at the death after Assad Vala had top-scored with 32 as Papua New Guinea reached 124 for eight with seven balls remaining.

Ireland now move to Malahide for their final two group games with a clash against Hong Kong next up on Friday at 2.15pm.

SCORES

IRELAND 123-9 (20 ovs) (W Porterfield 57no; W Gavera 3-17), PNG 124-8 (18.5 ovs) (A Vala 32, N Vanua 28no; T Kane 3-19, K O’Brien 2-11, J Mooney 2-38). PNG won by 2 wkts.