The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Women’s cricket team kicked off their historic tour of Papua New Guinea with an impressive five-wicket victory in the first ODI at Amini Park, Port Moresby. This match marked not just the beginning of a four-match WODI series but also underscored the rapid growth of women’s cricket in emerging nations.
For Papua New Guinea (PNG), it was an opportunity to assert its presence at home after being reinstated to Women’s ODI status by the ICC earlier this year. For the UAE, it was a moment to build on their momentum following a series of strong performances in their debut ODI series against Zimbabwe last month. The game quickly tilted in favour of the UAE, as their disciplined bowling kept PNG to a low total, and their batters handled the chase with poise.
Asked to bat first, Papua New Guinea struggled to gain any foothold at the crease. Facing a sharp UAE bowling attack, they faltered early on, ultimately collapsing to just 93 runs in 33.2 overs. Only Lakshmi Rajadurai managed to hold the innings together, scoring a resilient 31 off 90 balls. The lower order offered some resistance, with Geua Tom scoring 23 off 43 deliveries, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to make an impact, with no other players reaching double digits.
The UAE bowlers delivered a masterclass, with Suraksha Kotte standing out with remarkable figures of 5 for 20. Her ability to generate movement and maintain tight lines proved too much for PNG, who struggled to respond. Samaira Dharnidharka and Esha Oza also did well to contain the scoring, while the fielding was sharp and alert, ensuring that no easy runs were available.
When it came time to chase the modest target of 94, the UAE innings began cautiously, grappling with some early nerves and losing quick wickets, including captain Esha Oza for just 3 and Lavanya Keny for 1. However, Theertha Satish steadied the innings with a calm and composed innings, scoring an unbeaten 46 off 87 balls. She demonstrated impressive match awareness, rotating the strike well and punishing any loose deliveries. Michelle Botha provided valuable support, contributing an unbeaten 18* off 31 balls to seal the win in 33.1 overs with five wickets remaining.
Despite PNG’s spirited bowling effort, particularly from Henao Thomas who took 2 for 14, the low total was just too challenging to defend. Mairi Tom also bowled well, returning 0 for 34 from 10 overs, but the team struggled to find wicket-taking support. Although PNG’s fielding was energetic, it wasn’t enough to make up for their batting shortcomings. Their failure to build partnerships and accelerate during the middle overs proved to be a significant hurdle.
For the UAE, this match was not just another win; it was a statement of intent. They showcased maturity and tactical discipline that belied their status as an emerging ODI team. Suraksha Kotte’s all-round performance earned her the Player of the Match award, while Theertha Satish’s steady presence solidified her reputation as one of the UAE’s most reliable batters. The victory also highlighted the team’s depth, with several younger players making important contributions.
As the teams gear up for the second ODI, on October 15, at the same venue, PNG will aim to regroup and bolster their batting strategy, while UAE will seek to carry on their momentum and seize an early series lead. The first ODI was a historic encounter that highlighted the passion, progress, and potential of women’s cricket in the associate world.
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