The 2nd Match of Group A in the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 tournament in Ajman saw Scotland Women secure a clinical 7-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea Women with 41 balls to spare.

Asked to bat first, Papua New Guinea Women suffered an early setback when Hollan Doriga was caught by KE Bryce off Abtaha Maqsood for 9 runs, ending an opening stand of 10 runs in 2.3 overs. Naoani Vare followed soon after, run out by Maqsood and wicketkeeper SJ Bryce for 4, leaving PNG at 14 for 2 in 4.2 overs. Captain Brenda Tau was trapped lbw by Kirstie Gordon for 2 as wickets continued to tumble at 22 for 3 in 6.1 overs.
Sibona Jimmy attempted a brief fightback with 8 runs off 11 balls before being caught by Carter off Katherine Fraser, breaking the partnership at 29 for 4 in 7.4 overs. Tanya Ruma anchored the innings with a gritty 22 off 31 deliveries, featuring four boundaries, and shared a vital partnership with Pauke Siaka before Ruma was bowled by Kirstie Gordon at 73 for 5 in 16.2 overs. Pauke Siaka contributed a fluent 24 off 28 balls with two boundaries before falling caught and bowled to Katherine Fraser at 77 for 6 in 17.4 overs.
The lower order collapsed swiftly as Hane Tau was bowled by Fraser for a duck on the very next ball, Geua Tom was caught by Carter off KE Bryce for 4 at 82 for 8, Dika Lohia was run out by Fraser and SJ Bryce for 5 at 88 for 9, and Henao Thomas was caught by Maqsood off Priyanaz Chatterji for 9.
Vicky Buruka remained unbeaten on 1 as PNG Women were bundled out for 93 in 20 overs, with extras adding 5 runs. Scotland’s bowling attack was exceptional, spearheaded by Katherine Fraser who claimed 3 wickets for 10 runs in 4 overs, and Kirstie Gordon who picked up 2 for 15 in 4 overs. Kathryn Bryce (1 for 15), Abtaha Maqsood (1 for 17), and Priyanaz Chatterji (1 for 15) also chipped in with a wicket each, while Hannah Rainey bowled 3 scoreless overs conceding 18 runs.
Chasing a target of 94 runs, Scotland Women overcame a few early blows to reach 95 for 3 in 13.1 overs. Darcey Carter opened the innings and scored 8 runs before being bowled by Henao Thomas, bringing an end to an opening partnership of 38 runs in 4.1 overs. Katherine Fraser played an explosive knock, smashing 45 runs off just 29 balls with seven fours and a six at a strike rate of 155.17, before being caught by Doriga off Pauke Siaka, leaving Scotland at 70 for 3 in 8.6 overs.
Prior to that, captain Kathryn Bryce contributed a steady 14 off 14 balls with two boundaries, partnering with Fraser to take the score to 58 before being caught by Vare off Hane Tau. With the match firmly in balance, Sarah Bryce and Pippa Sproul combined to guide Scotland home in an unbroken partnership. Sarah Bryce played a calm knock of 12 not out from 15 balls, while Pippa Sproul scored an unbeaten 11 from 11 deliveries with one boundary, sealing the comfortable win.
Papua New Guinea utilized six bowlers in their attempt to defend the total. Henao Thomas was the pick of the bowlers with 1 for 17 in 3 overs, while Hane Tau took 1 for 8 in 2 overs and Pauke Siaka claimed 1 for 16 in 2 overs. Geua Tom conceded 21 runs in 2 overs, Vicky Buruka leaked 13 runs in 1.1 overs, and Sibona Jimmy gave away 15 runs in her 2-over spell as Scotland comfortably sealed their victory.

Loves all things female cricket