India mauls Papua New Guinea by 10 wickets to enter quarterfinals

Skipper Prithvi Shaw slammed a strokeful fifty while spinner Anukul Roy claimed a maiden five-wicket haul to emerge as the architects of India’s dominating victory. Roy was the wrecker-inchief as he ran through the opposition, returning with impressive figures of 6.5-2-145 after skipper Shaw won the toss and elected to field first under overcast conditions. 

PNG, who last appeared in the World Cup in 2014 in the United Arab Emirates, looked clueless against India’s bowling unit and folded for 64 in 21.5 overs, the tournament’s lowest score so far. Ovia Sam (15), opener Simon Atai (13) and Sinaka Arua (12) were the notable contributors for Papua New Guinea, which had qualified 

for its eighth World Cup after remaining unbeaten in the East Asia Pacific Qualifier in Samoa. 

India, which had inflicted a 100-run defeat on former champion Australia in its first match, then overhauled the target, reaching 67 for no loss in 8 overs, riding on Shaw’s unconquered 39-ball 57. Roy, who idolises India spinner Ravindra Jadeja, said: “I thought there would not be much help in the pitch for bowlers so I decided to concentrate on line and length. I got the desired results and am thankful to the support and guidance I received from the team management.” 

Earlier, in conditions that aided swing and bounce, Indian fast bowler Shivam Mavi picked up two wickets, while pace colleagues Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Arshdeep Singh snapped a scalp each. 

Meanwhile, a magical spell by the young sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi skittled out Ireland for 97, handing Pakistan a nine-wicket win at Whangarei. 

Ireland, batting first, was bowled out for 97 after manof-the-match Shaheen Shah bagged six wickets for a mere 15 runs, helped along by skipper Hassan Khan who took three for 16. Pakistan chased down the target within just nine overs for loss of one wicket.

Papua New Guinea 64 in 21.5 overs (Anukul Roy 5/14, Shivam Mavi 2/16, Kamlesh Nagarkoti 1/17) lost to India 67 for no loss in 8 overs (P Shaw 57*).