INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL (ICC) 2001 EAST ASIA – PACIFIC UNDER 19 CRICKET CHAMPIONSHIPS, 19-25 AUGUST, NADI, FIJI

FINAL RESULTS, Day 7, Saturday 25 August

THE FINAL - HONG KONG v PAPUA NEW GUINEA at Nadi Muslim College

Papua New Guinea today defeated Hong Kong in the Final of the inaugural ICC East Asia – Pacific Under 19 Cricket Championships staged in Nadi. In doing so, they qualify for the 2002 ICC Under 19 World Cricket Cup in New Zealand from 10 Jan – 12 Feb. There they will compete against all full member Test cricket nations, One Day International member, Kenya, and the four qualifiers from the other Regions of the International Cricket Council's world-wide Development Program – Africa, the Americas, Asia & Europe.

With five convincing wins from five matches against Hong Kong and Fiji, Papua New Guinea certainly deserved to win the tournament with some fine attacking bowling and fielding, and fast scoring. They are sure to represent the East Asia – Pacific Region admirably at the World Cup. In today's Final, Hong Kong won the toss and batted and was all out 119 from 41 overs. Captain, Jignesh Tailor, top-scored with 26. Greg Baeau took 2/20 and Gimapau Keimelo 2/25. In reply, Papua New Guinea passed their target in 12.2 overs, one wicket down. Man of the match and Player of the Championships, Mahuru Dai, scored 76no, again in very quick time. Frank Joseph topped off an excellent tournament (206 runs @ 51.50) with 25.

The presentation of the winners medals to the PNG players was made at the Skylodge Hotel in Nadi as were the following major awards:

PLAYER OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mahuru Dai from Papua New Guinea (181 runs @ 60.33 from 5 innings, 1 wicket @ 33 runs from 14 overs, 2 catches/1 run out)

TEAM OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS / 2001 EAST ASIA – PACIFIC UNDER 19 XI
A promotional squad of 12 names was announced as follows:
From Fiji; Atunaisa Bale (Komo) & Colin Darian Rika (Suva)
From Hong Kong; Dyutish Chaudhuri (Islanders/Kowloon CC Colts) & Jignesh Taylor (Islanders/KCC Infidels)
From Papua New Guinea; Peter Arua, Kohu Dai, Mahuru Dai, Clive Elly, Frank Joseph, Greg Baeau, Gimapau Keimelo (all Port Moresby) & Kalei Wamala (Lae)

FINAL SCORES
Hong Kong 10/119 off 41 overs lost to Papua New Guinea 1/121 off 12.2 overs (Mahuru Dai 76no)

© ICC