Papua New Guinea and Scotland will be up against each other in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 at the Al Ameerat Cricket Stadium, on Saturday, 25 September. PNG have failed to win a single match in eight attempts, and they are at the bottom of the points table, while Scotland are positioned third.
Scotland played their last match in the league a year ago, against the United States of America. They won by four wickets. They recently lost a T20I series to Zimbabwe, and will be without two of their key players in Josh Davey and Bradley Wheal. George Munsey and Kyle Coetzer are likely to open their innings. Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod and Matthew Cross will form the crux of the middle-order.
PNG are heavily reliant on Assad Vala, who is among the leading run-getters in the league. Vala has amassed 356 runs in eight matches, but has not received support from the other end. They played their last match against Nepal, and lost by 151 runs.
PNG were bowled out for 82 in the pursuit of 234. Tony Ura's 19 was the highest score of the innings. Ura is likely to open the innings with Lega Siaka, with Vala at No. 3. Chad Soper is their main bowler.
Betway Fantasy Team
- Appoint Richie Berrington, the leading run-scorer in the recently concluded T20I series against Zimbabwe, as captain.
- Vala, Kyle Coetzer and Ollie Hairs should be three batters for your side.
- Among wicket-keepers, pick Matthew Cross over Kiplin Doriga.
Probable XIs
Papua New Guinea: Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, Assad Vala (c), Sese Bau, Charles Amini, Kiplin Doriga (wk), Jason Kila, Damien Ravu, Nosaina Pokana, Gaudi Toka, Chad Soper
Scotland: Kyle Coetzer (c), Richie Berrington, George Munsey, Ollie Hairs, Matthew Cross (wk), Calum MacLeod, Michael Leask, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Chris Sole, Alasdair Evans.
Prediction:
Scotland should win this game.