Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Ireland through to semi-finals of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019
Sibona Jimmy starred with a sensational Player of the Match performance to claim two points for PNG and set them up for a semi-final clash against Thailand with a second-place finish in Group A and leave USA to end their Group Stages without a win.
Starting with the bat, Jimmy hit a brilliant 58 not out from 50 at the top of the order to propel PNG to 133/3 after 20 and hand them their most convincing display with the bat in the tournament so far.
Cameos from Tau (24) and Ruma (29) helped PNG to a total that ended 22 runs via the Duckworth Lewis Stern Method out of reach for USA.
Despite a quick fire 35 off 26 from Erica Rendler in a revised 17-over run chase for USA, Sibona Jimmy made her mark with the ball as well as the bat to take 3/15 and give PNG their second victory – after Scotland – of the tournament.
PNG’s clash against Thailand in the semi-final stage of the tournament means one of the two teams will qualify for their first ever ICC global event.
For Team USA, a third group stages defeat ends hopes of qualification but they move on now to the 5th-8th Place Play-Off section of the tournament in the Plate Section which will decide the final classification places for the week.
Up first on Thursday will be Netherlands with a 10am local time start.
PNG beat USA by 22 runs (DLS) at Forthill Sports Club
PNG 133/3, 20 overs (S Jimmy 58, T Ruma 29; S Farooq 1/19)
USA 94/7, 17 overs (EH Rendler 35, S Bhaskar 17; S Jimmy 3/15)
Schedule
Qualifier group stage
31 August: USA v Scotland – Lost by 30 runs
1 September: USA v Bangladesh – Lost by 8 wickets
3 September: USA v Papua New Guinea – Lost by 22 runs (DLS)
Finals stages
5 September: Semi-Finals/5th-8th Place Play-off Semis
7 September: Final/5th-8th Place Finals
