Dubai: Subha Srinivasan’s all-round performance went in vain as UAE crashed to a narrow two-wicket defeat to Papua New Guinea (PNG) in their second match of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s World T20 Qualifier in the Netherlands.
UAE, who had beaten the Netherlands in the first match on Friday, were bowled out for paltry 83 runs. Subha top-scored with 22 runs before being run out. UAE fought back through Subha, who took three wickets for 13 runs from her four overs, but PNG reached the target with just one ball to spare.
Speaking to Gulf News from Amstelveen, Subha said: “I am happy to have contributed with the bat and ball. We played as a team and fought well till the last over. It’s just one of those days that the result did not go our way and we could not get over the line.”
Subha, who is obliged to UAE women's team coach Murali Sockalingam for sharpening her skills, also said: “The close defeat did hurt all of us but we will focus on our next match against Bangladesh. It is a do-or-die battle and we have to make sure not to repeat the mistakes we did against PNG and reach the semi-finals.”
UAE won the toss and started positively. The opening pair of Esha Oza (10) and Chaya Mughal (18) put on 28 runs. After Chaya got run out, Esha too followed quickly. Nisha Ali, the hero of UAE’s win over the Netherlands, too got run out for 2. Kavisha Egodage too got run out. Though Subha tried to help UAE post a good total with Roopa Nagaraj (10) Subha too got run out.
UAE fought back through Subha’s fine bowling but Brenda Tau hit a valuable 19 to ensure PNG the victory.
Brief scores:
Papua New Guinea bt UAE by 2 wkts. UAE 83 in 20 overs (Subha Srinivasan 22; Sibona Jimmy 2 for 11) PNG 84 for 8 in 19.5 overs (Brenda Tau 19; Subha Srinivasan 3 for 13). Player of the match: Brenda Tau.
