Lega Siaka became Papua New Guinea’s maiden one-day international centurion as he led them to a 2-0 sweep of their ground-breaking series with Hong Kong.
The 21-year-old right-hander struck 109 from 114 balls as the Hebou Barramundis chased down Hong Kong’s 261 all out with four balls, and three wickets, to spare.
It meant PNG were able to celebrate victory in their first-ever series after both they, and Hong Kong, secured ODI status for the first time earlier this year.
After PNG coasted to victory in the opening match of the series with 10 overs to spare the crowd at the Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville were this time treated to a match that went right down to the wire.
Yesssssss 2 from 2 for @Cricket_PNG bit of fun now in the dressing room to celebrate. pic.twitter.com/bh9nk3fjpO
— Geraint Jones (@Gojones623) November 9, 2014
Hong Kong laid the platform for a solid target through half-centuries from Babar Hayat and Anshuman Rath before Haseeb Amjad blasted 42 from 20 balls.
PNG’s new-ball pair Norman Vanua and Willie Gavera shared seven wickets between them as Hong Kong were bowled out with three balls left.
That would prove costly as PNG needed all of their overs to run down the target.
Siaka was the hero of the day, after coming in at three, as he first shared a half-century stand with 2005 Ashes winner Geraint Jones, before Vani Morea passed 50 for the second time in two days.
PNG had a late wobble with Siaka run out before Nadeem Ahmed claimed wickets from successive balls to leave the nominal hosts needing 34 from 26 balls.
But Morea stood firm to get them home with his unbeaten 65 from 68 deliveries.