United Arab Emirates vs Papua New Guinea, ICC CWCLT 2019-22, Today Match Prediction 05 March 2023

uae vs png Match Prediction & Analysis

The hosts will be looking to settle scores as they take on Papua New Guinea for the second time in the tri-series. In their last encounter, PNG posted a competitive total and bundled up the hosts for just 131 runs.

Teams have struggled to score runs on this ground in this series so far. PNG’s 262 against UAE is the highest 1st innings score in this tri-series. The highest score a team has chased down in this series is 204 runs. It was Nepal who secured a 4-wicket win over PNG while chasing a 204-run target in the series opener.

There are a few good batters in both teams who can help post a decent score. Rohan Mustafa, Asid Khan, and Muhammad Waseem can take UAE to a 220+ run total.

Whereas, for Papua New Guinea, it is the in-form Tony Ura along with number 3 batsman Sese Bau who can deliver a significant performance in the top order. The bowlers will be key to the success of both teams. UAE packs a strong bowling attack that didn’t live up to the expectations in their last game against PNG. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

United Arab Emirates Preview

UAE skipper Rizwan will be one to watch out for in this contest. He comes in at number 3 in the batting order and needs to lead from the front. The hosts changed their opening combination after their loss against PNG. Asif Khan was promoted to the top while Aryan Lakra went down to number 7.

Lakra is handy in the lower order too and will only add depth to this batting lineup. The 20-year-old wicket-keeper batsman Vritiya Aravind seems to be struggling to convert his stars but still remains a promising middle-order batsman.

Rohan Mustafa is one of the most experienced batsmen in the UAE camp. His presence at number 5 ensures UAE can bounce back even after a few early losses.

UAE are likely to continue with their opening pair after Asif Khan scored a brilliant half-century at the top against Nepal. All of these key batters will be expected to help turn things around in their return game against PNG.

But more importantly, the bowlers need to execute well. Zahoor Khan and Meiyappan will lead this bowling attack and need to deliver early breakthroughs. There are many all-rounders like Lakra, Mustafa, and Rohan Mustafa who are all handy with the ball and add variety to the bowling attack.

United Arab Emirates Predicted Playing XI:

Muhammad Waseem, Aryan Lakra, Vriitya Aravind (wk), Chundangapoyil Rizwan (c), Rohan Mustafa, Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Zahoor Khan, Sabir Ali Rao

United Arab Emirates Actual Playing XI:

Rohan Mustafa, Mohammad Waseem, Asif Khan, Sabir Ali, Chundangapoyil Rizwan, Aayan Khan, Junaid Siddique, Vriitya Aravind, Aryan Lakra, Zahoor Khan, Karthik Meiyappan

Papua New Guinea Preview

PNG have lost two of their three matches so far in this tri-series. Their only win came against UAE in the second game of the series. They played Nepal again after securing a win over UAE and were once again beaten by Rohit Paudel’s side. After they finished with 179 runs, PNG’s chances of winning seemed bleak.

But the bowlers kept them alive in the game as they reduced Nepal to 74 for 6 with consistent breakthroughs. This will be their strength as they meet UAE for the second time in the tri-series.  It was Chad Soper’s fifer that helped Papua New Guinea bowl out the Emirates for just 131 runs in their last match.

This time around, skipper Asad Vala and Semo Kamea will also be ones to watch out for in the bowling department. Everyone made a significant contribution with the ball in their last game and will carry confidence and momentum into this game. 

While there are batters in the middle order who can hold the fort for PNG, it is Tony Ura and Sese Bau at the top who hold the key to a decent score. These two and Kiplin Doriga need to deliver at the top for Papua New Guinea to bounce back and dominate the UAE once again.

Papua New Guinea Predicted Playing XI:

Tony Ura, Kiplin Doriga, Sese Bau, Assad Vala (c), Hiri Hiri, Gaudi Toka, Riley Hekure, Hila Vare (wk), Norman Vanua, Semo Kamea, Chad Soper

Papua New Guinea Actual Playing XI:

Hila Vare, Chad Soper, Kiplin Doriga, Hiri Hiri, Sese Bau, Riley Hekure, Assad Vala, Charles Amini, Alei Nao, Tony Ura, Semo Kamea

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It is a good batting track in Dubai which these teams haven’t managed to make the most out of. The bowlers seem to be on top of things in this series and will continue to pose a threat in this game as well. The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of 28 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

Dubai International Cricket Stadium is the venue for all the matches in this tri-series. The average 1st innings score on this ground in ODIs is 228 runs. A 250+ total will be a match-winning score at this venue.

Toss: To Bat

There doesn’t seem to be any clear advantage for either choice after winning the toss. Neither of these teams have an in-form batting lineup that can chase down a good enough score. And as such, posting something over 250 would put the team batting first in a winning position.