After winning the toss and electing to bat, PNG struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Qatar bowling attack. They were dismissed for 155 in 36.3 overs, with wicketkeeper-batter Tony Ura providing the innings’ main highlight, scoring 52 from 44 balls, including five fours and three sixes. Sese Bau contributed 24 from 46 deliveries, but PNG were unable to provide a firm grip to the falling line-up.
Muhammad Asim led Qatar’s attack with an outstanding five wickets for 34 runs from his 10 overs. His performance proved central to restricting PNG, while Owais Ahmed also made an important contribution, taking two wickets for 18 runs. Qatar’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, regularly breaking partnerships and preventing the opposition from establishing a strong position.
Qatar’s response was bullet from the onset of the second inning. Shahzeb Afridi launched an aggressive assault, scoring 85 from just 35 balls, with five fours and nine sixes. His innings gave Qatar early control of the chase and left PNG with little opportunity to build pressure. Afridi’s dismissal, caught by Boio Ray off Kabua Morea, came with Qatar already firmly on course for victory which made sure the umpires shoulders were in use from signaling all the boundaries.
Zubair Ali provided steady support, finishing unbeaten on 53 from 40 balls, while Imal Liyanage remained not out on 10 from 10 deliveries. Qatar reached 157 for one in just 14.5 overs, completing the chase with 35.1 overs remaining. Afridi was named Player of the Match for his decisive contribution with the bat.
The victory was another important result for Qatar in the final round of Challenge League A, following their recent wins over Kuwait and Kenya. Their performance in Nairobi has demonstrated a massive fight after coming in at the bottom of the table, with the win against PNG lifting them just above the hosts.
For PNG, the defeat was a setback after their four-wicket victory over Denmark earlier in the round. Qatar proved to be a challenging target and they will move on to pursue Kuwait who are waiting to close the series with the match against PNG.
The Challenge League A competition forms part of the qualification structure for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, with teams competing for opportunities to advance to the next stage. Qatar’s convincing win strengthened their campaign, while PNG will need a response in their remaining fixtures to finish the round strongly.
