The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Lewas held their nerve in a thrilling finish to defeat Thailand by five wickets in their T20 International at Amini Park in Port Moresby city today.

Thailand won the toss and elected to bat first, posting 109 runs for five wickets from their allotted 20 overs.

The Lewas produced an outstanding bowling and fielding performance to restrict Thailand to a modest total and give themselves a strong chance of chasing down the target.

PNG made an explosive start to their run chase with the opener by Konio Oala, smashing a six from only the second ball she faced.

Oala continued her aggressive approach, scoring a quick-fire 26 runs from 18 balls, including three sixes and a boundary.

However, following the dismissals of Oala and fellow opener Hollan Doriga, the PNG innings began to lose momentum.

Thailand introduced its spin attack, which proved highly effective in containing the Lewas batters and slowing the scoring rate. PNG struggled to find the boundaries as the required run rate increased.

With the match going down to the final stages, Pauke Siaka stepped up to steady the innings and keep PNG's hopes of victory alive.

The game came down to the final ball, with the Lewas requiring two runs to win.

Siaka kept her composure and delivered when it mattered most, scoring the two runs needed to seal a dramatic victory for PNG.

She finished unbeaten on 25 runs from just 15 balls, guiding the Lewas across the line in a tense finish.

Match Result:

PNG Lewas — 5/110 (20 overs)

Thailand — 5/109 (20 overs)

PNG Lewas won by 5 wickets.

The victory highlighted the Lewas' determination and composure under pressure, particularly in the closing stages of a match that went down to the final delivery.