* Breaks Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar’s record, who achieved the feat 4-4-0-2 against Panama in 2021 (Match 39)
By Dwayne Ferreira
New Zealand concluded a disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a dominant victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG), chasing down a modest target of 79 with seven wickets and 46 balls to spare at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba.
Lockie Ferguson’s extraordinary figures of 3 for 0 from four overs highlighted the match. He became the second bowler in T20I history to bowl four maidens in a single match, joining Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar, who achieved the feat in 2021 against Panama.
The moisture in the pitch and residual effects of morning showers made conditions challenging for PNG’s batters. Kane Williamson’s decision to bowl first was vindicated as PNG stumbled to 16 for 2 after the powerplay. Ferguson’s sharp and accurate bowling exploited the conditions perfectly, dismantling PNG’s top order and reducing them to 78 all out.
Trent Boult, in his final T20 World Cup match, claimed two wickets in the death overs. Ish Sodhi, making his first appearance of the tournament, also took two wickets, wrapping up PNG’s innings with two balls to spare.
PNG’s innings lacked momentum, with Charles Amini’s 17 being the top score. Amini’s partnership of 27 runs with Sese Bau was the most productive, but it ended when Ferguson trapped Amini lbw. Boult and Sodhi cleaned up the tail, ensuring PNG could not post a challenging total.
Despite losing Finn Allen early to Kabua Morea, New Zealand’s chase was never in doubt. Morea also dismissed Rachin Ravindra, but Devon Conway’s 35 provided stability. Conway and Williamson added 34 runs for the third wicket, New Zealand’s highest partnership of the tournament. Williamson and Daryl Mitchell finished the chase comfortably, scoring the remaining 25 runs from 18 balls.
Ferguson started with a wicket on his first ball, enticing Assad Vala to drive and getting caught at slip. His relentless pace and movement through the air and off the pitch were too much for PNG’s batters. Ferguson’s final over included three dot balls, with commentary highlighting the countdown to his record-breaking spell. His exceptional performance added a memorable note to an otherwise forgettable World Cup for New Zealand.
PNG’s batting woes continued, scoring just 78 following previous low scores of 95 against Afghanistan and 77 versus Uganda. Their inability to score against New Zealand’s bowlers, especially against the new ball duo of Boult and Southee, highlighted their limitations.
Morea, who missed two matches after a disappointing opener against West Indies, redeemed himself with figures of 2 for 4 from 2.2 overs. His early wickets of Allen and Ravindra gave PNG a brief glimmer of hope, but New Zealand’s superior batting depth ensured a smooth chase.
While PNG showed fight and resilience, New Zealand’s superior skill and experience secured a comfortable victory, allowing them to exit the T20 World Cup on a positive note.
Chief Scores
Papua New Guinea 78 all out in 19.4 overs (Charles Amini 17, Lockie Ferguson 3 for 0, Tim Southee 2 for 11, Trent Boult 2 for 14, Ish Sodhi 2 for 29)
New Zealand 79 for 3 in 12.2 overs (Devon Conway 35, Kabua Morea 2 for 4)
Player of the Match – Lockie Ferguson
