PNG look to build on breakthrough win
Live: Papua New Guinea v Hong Kong
Papua New Guinea are looking to continue the momentum from their historic victory over Hong Kong yesterday when the two sides meet again today in Townsville.
In their first ever One Day International, PNG recovered from 5-76 in the 17th to chase down the target of 203 and record their maiden ODI win.
Charles Amini was the star for PNG, finishing on 61 not out in the run chase having earlier taken 2-33 with the ball. Vani Morea made 54 while former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones made 22 from 20 balls.
Jones, who was born in PNG, played the last of his 34 Tests in 2006 and has returned to international cricket for the nation of his birth.
"I'm over the moon, I'm speechless," Amini said after yesterday's win.
"After Vani got out I told myself I have to pass the score.
"I'm proud of the achievement so far, that's one out of two. We want to make it two out of two tomorrow."
PNG coach and former New Zealand spinner Dipak Patel was thrilled with his side's historic victory.
"I look back at some of the great victories I've been a part of and it brings back a lot of memories," Patel said.
"This is totally different as a coach as you have different emotions but I'm just so pleased for the guys.
"They've worked particularly hard over the last two or three months and we've changed a lot.
"At times they've sort of looked at me sideways asking me where I was coming from, but today they summed it up and it was a great team effort."