Favourites Papua New Guinea remained unbeaten in the 2018 ICC World Twenty20 East Asia Pacific A Qualifier when they beat Vanuatu by 81 runs at Albert Park, Suva yesterday.

PNG head coach Joe Dowes told SUNsports that they had challenged batsmen Tony Ura and Assadollah Vala to lift their game.

“We’re aware that Fiji is gunning for us after beating Samoa,” he said.

“We’re really happy with how the players are jumping in when needed. Ura and Vala did that today.

“We’re treating every game as the final and looking at Fiji who will obviously be full of confidence after the win over Samoa.”

Vanuatu captain Andrew Mansale said the result was not what they had expect­ed and was disappointed with their third loss.

“We came prepared like every team did. We were hoping to walk over Fiji and Vanuatu like we always do and play Papua New Guinea.

“To lose to Fiji and then pick ourselves up again and coming from back here we are just going to play some cricket and turn the table around.”

SUMMARY SCORES:

PNG 2/239 (20) Vala 110, Amini 61 not out, Ura 51 defeated Vanuatu 158 (19.1) Nipiko 84, Matautaava 23, Soper 4/22 (4), Kila 2/23 (4) by 81 runs

– Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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