TAROUBA: Lockie Ferguson’s record bowling figures, followed by a combined batting effort led New Zealand to crush Papua New Guinea (PNG) by seven wickets in the 39th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here on Monday.
Set to chase a modest 79, New Zealand amassed the total for the loss of three wickets and 46 balls to spare.
New Zealand, however, had a contrasting start to the pursuit as they lost Finn Allen (0) and Rachin Ravindra with just 20 runs on the board in 4.1 overs.
Left-handed opener Devon Conway then received subtle support at the other end in the form of Kane Williamson and the duo anchored the run chase with a sensible partnership.
Conway and Williamson put together 34 runs for the third wicket until the former fell victim Semo Kamea in the 10th over.
Devon Conway remained the top-scorer for New Zealand with 35 off 32 balls, laced up with two fours and three sixes.
Following his dismissal, Williamson joined forces with Daryl Mitchell and they made sure that there were no further hiccups in the modest run-chase.
Williamson scored a cautious 17-ball 18 while Mitchell scored a brisk 19 off just 12 balls.
Kabua Morea bagged two wickets for PNG while Kamea claimed one.
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Sent into bat first, PNG could only manage 78 as they had no answers to New Zealand’s ruthless bowling attack, led by Ferguson.
PNG had a dismal start to their innings as they lost both their openers Tony Ura (1) and Assad Vala (6) inside 4.1 overs with just 14 runs on the board.
Following the early hiccup, Sese Bau joined Charles Amini in the middle in a bid to launch recovery.
The pair batted cautiously and added 27 runs for the third wicket before Ferguson trapped Amini lbw in the 12th over to draw a much-needed success for New Zealand.
Amini remained the top-scorer for PNG with 25-ball 17 which featured two boundaries.
PNG’s other set batter, Bau, perished an over later as he fell victim to Santer after scoring 12 off 27 balls.
His dismissal sparked a collapse and PNG lost wickets at an alarming rate to eventually bundle out on 78 in 19.4 overs.
Right-handed batter Norman Vanua offered notable resistance in the death overs for PNG with a 13-ball 14. He smashed one four and a six.
Lockie Ferguson spearheaded New Zealand’s bowling charge with record figures, followed by Tim Southee and Trent Boult, who bagged two wickets each while Mitchell Santner chipped in with a wicket.
It is worth mentioning that New Zealand and PNG have been knocked out of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.
READ: New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson sets multiple T20I records