City Pharmacy PNG Lewas

Having qualified for the semi-final of the ICC WWT20 Qualifier in the Netherlands by finishing second in Pool A behind Bangladesh, the City Pharmacy PNG Lewas go into their semi-final clash against Ireland, knowing a victory will not only mean that they make the final of this prestigious event, but also qualify for the ICC WWT20 in the West Indies in November this year.

This is the closest the Lewas have ever come to the World T20.

Having arrived in Amsterdam last week, the PNG Lewas have familiarised themselves with the foreign conditions in the Netherlands by playing four practice matches; winning two against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Women and losing against Thailand (in the last over) and finally against Ireland in their last warm up game.

The second loss came in the hands of Ireland Women by eight wickets last night.

The format of the ICC WWT20Q will remain the same as the last edition in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2015. There will be two groups of four, where each team will play each other in each group in the group stage. After the conclusion of the group stage, the top two from each group will progress to the Trophy competition and contest for a place in the WWT20 2018.

The bottom two from each group will contest for the Plate.

Batting first on a hot and humid day in Colombo, the City Pharmacy PNG Lewas posted a mammoth 9/308 off their allotted 50 overs. Norma Ovasuru (71 off 62 balls) and Brenda Tau (55 off 55 balls) led from the front, hitting half centuries batting at the top of the order, while Konio Oala (42), Pauke Siaka (41), Tanya Ruma (31) and Veru Kila Frank (21) all made valuable contributions in the middle order.

"The positives were batting partnerships," said City Pharmacy PNG Lewas Coach, Cathryn Fitzpatrick.