Namibia Women and Papua New Guinea Women served up a tense contest in the 14th match of Group A in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 at Mulpani, where PNG Women held their nerve to secure a three-wicket victory with just two balls to spare. In a match dominated by disciplined bowling and nervy batting spells, the game ebbed and flowed right until the final over, with several key partnerships shaping the outcome.
Namibia Women began their innings cautiously, with Yasmeen Khan and Kayleen Green providing early intent at the top. Khan struck a brisk 15 off 11 balls, while Green added 8 off 6 deliveries, but both fell inside the powerplay, triggering an early collapse. The first wicket fell at 27 in 4.3 overs, followed by Green’s dismissal at 43 in the 6.4th over, as PNG bowlers applied sustained pressure.
Merczerly Gorases and Jurriene Diergaardt attempted to stabilize the innings with a steady partnership, adding valuable runs in the middle overs. Diergaardt anchored the innings with a patient 36 off 41 balls, striking five boundaries, while Gorases chipped in with 16 off 19 balls before falling at 69. Wilka Mwatile then played a composed knock of 23 off 28 balls, remaining unbeaten to guide Namibia towards a competitive total.
Captain Sune Wittmann contributed 5 off 7 balls before being dismissed at 94, while Naomi Benjamin’s late cameo of 14* off 9 balls provided a slight late push. Namibia eventually posted 122 for 5 in 20 overs, with extras contributing 5 runs.
For Papua New Guinea, Sibona Jimmy (2/18) and Hane Tau (1/23) were standout bowlers, while Isabel Toua (1/19) and Dika Lohia (1/9) chipped in with crucial wickets. Marie Tom and Henao Thomas bowled tidy spells, ensuring Namibia never fully accelerated.
In reply, PNG Women started confidently, with Hollan Doriga leading the chase in emphatic fashion. Doriga smashed 39 off just 25 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes, forming a crucial 58-run opening partnership before falling in the 6.2nd over. Konio Oala added a valuable 20 off 18 balls, while skipper Brenda Tau struggled for momentum, scoring 6 off 15 deliveries before being dismissed at 72.
Sibona Jimmy (15 off 16) and Naoani Vare (2 off 4) added brief contributions, but wickets kept tumbling, keeping Namibia in the hunt. Henao Thomas scored 5 off 14 balls, while Pauke Siaka was dismissed for 1, leaving PNG under pressure in the final overs. Isabel Toua (15* off 12) and Hane Tau (7* off 10) held their composure in the closing moments to steer PNG home in 19.4 overs.
Namibia’s bowling was led by Sylvia Shihepo, who produced an outstanding spell of 3 for 8 in 4 overs, applying relentless pressure. Eveleen Kejarukua (1/22) and Jurriene Diergaardt (1/18) provided crucial breakthroughs, while Wilka Mwatile and Saima Tuhadeleni bowled economical spells despite going wicketless.
In the end, Hollan Doriga’s explosive knock proved decisive and earned her the Player of the Match award, as Papua New Guinea Women celebrated a hard-fought victory in a closely contested encounter that showcased the growing competitiveness of associate women’s cricket on the global stage.
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