Papua New Guinea were dismissed for 119 in 39.3 overs after Kuwait’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings.

Kuwait made an early breakthrough when Yasin Patel removed wicketkeeper Tony Ura for a duck. Doko Rupa and Sese Bau steadied PNG with a 36-run partnership, but wickets fell regularly after Bau was dismissed for 20.

Patel led Kuwait’s attack with 4 for 24 from 10 overs, while Nimish Lathief also claimed four wickets, conceding 30 runs in 9.3 overs. Shiraz Khan and Meet Bhavsar took one wicket apiece.

Aue Oru top-scored for PNG with 25, while John Kariko added 22 and Lega Siaka made 18. Their efforts offered some resistance, but PNG slipped from 56 for 2 to 60 for 7 before Oru and Kariko helped lift the total.

PNG’s innings ended in the 40th over when Kariko was caught, leaving Semo Kamea unbeaten on 0. Kuwait’s disciplined bowling and regular wickets restricted the total to 119.

Kuwait openers Clinto Anto and Meet Bhavsar led the chase with an unbeaten 123-run partnership. Anto struck 76 not out from 67 balls, hitting seven fours and four sixes, while Bhavsar finished on 44 not out from 62 deliveries, including five boundaries.

PNG’s bowlers were unable to break through, with none of the six used claiming a wicket. John Kariko was the most economical, conceding 33 runs in 8.3 overs.

Kuwait chased down the target without losing a wicket, reaching 123 in 21.3 overs. PNG’s bowlers were unable to break the opening partnership.

The Barramundis will aim to finish their campaign strongly when they face tournament hosts Kenya on Saturday, 31 October.