Holder’s 99* hands Windies win over PNG

Jason Holder struck a career-best 99 not out and forged a match-winning partnership with Shai Hope as West Indies pulled off a heist against Papau New Guinea (PNG) in the ICC World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.

After PNG posted 200, West Indies slipped to 58-4 by the 12th over with openers Evin Lewis (8) and Shimron Hetmyer (8), and Marlon Samuels (24) and Jason Mohammed (0) all back in the pavillion.

PNG were no doubt sensing a major upset, but Holder joined Hope and the pair proceeded to dominate the bowling, adding an unbroken 143 in 31.2 overs to seal the win.

Holder was the aggressor, hitting nine fours and four sixes in his 99 not out, which spanned 101 balls. With one required for victory and Holder on 98, the West Indies captain took a single, missing out on the opportunity to score a maiden ODI ton.

Fellow right-hander Hope, who batted at three, was content with playing the supporting role, finishing on 49 not out off 115 balls, an innings that included three fours.

Earlier, Carlos Brathwaite claimed 5-27 off 10 overs and Nikita Miller 2-25 off six, as PNG posted a decent total, built primarily on the contributions of four batsmen.

Skipper Assad Vala made 57, opener Tony Ura 37 and Mahuru Dai and Norman Vanua scored 35 each. The victory was West Indies second in as many games in the qualifier, following their 60-run win over United Arab Emirates a few days ago.

It was PNG’s third loss from three games, effectively ending their campaign in the qualifier.