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Both underdogs and coming off opening defeats, PNG showed a hearteningly hard-fought effort against the hosts, while Uganda received a harsh lesson from Afghanistan. However, one of these teams will claim their historic first World Cup win tonight at Guyana's National Stadium, weather permitting.
This will be only the second T20I between the two sides, who first faced each other in the 20-over format at the 2022 Qualifier in Zimbabwe, with PNG emerging as comfortable winners. The only other short-format fixture between them was a warm-up back in 2013 at the Global T20 Qualifier, featuring former England keeper Geraint Jones behind the stumps for the Barramundis. Despite this, they've encountered each other frequently in 50-over cricket across various divisions of the old World Cricket League.
The Papuans have generally had the upper hand over Uganda in 50-over internationals, winning four of their five official matches, though the contests have often been closely contested. PNG won by one run in a thriller at the 2005 ICC Trophy in Dublin, their first ICC competition meeting, while Uganda secured a narrow one-wicket victory in their subsequent clash at the 2007 Division 3 in Darwin.
PNG repeated their one-run victory at the 2010 WCL Division 2 in Dubai, but their 9-wicket triumph at the 2014 World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand was more decisive. This victory helped set the Barramundis on course for ODI status and a two-cycle stint in the top tier of Associates competition, first in the WCL Championship and then in CWC League 2, while Uganda slipped into the lower divisions.
The two teams now appear to be converging again, with PNG's recent relegation meaning they'll be competing at the same level of 50-over competition as Uganda next cycle, though in different groups within the Challenge League. Uganda's rise through the African regional ranks has been impressive, consistently outperforming old rivals Kenya and trailing only Namibia among the region's leading Associates.
Uganda also defeated a Full Member, Zimbabwe, by 5 wickets to reach this stage, marking their first official victory against a Full Member. This is a feat Papua New Guinea has yet to achieve, though they aim to do so in this tournament. For both teams, the immediate priority is securing their first win on the world stage, and they know this is likely their best opportunity to achieve it.
Squads:
Papua New Guinea Squad: Tony Ura, Assad Vala(c), Lega Siaka, Sese Bau, Hiri Hiri, Charles Amini, Kiplin Doriga(w), Chad Soper, Alei Nao, Kabua Morea, John Kariko, Norman Vanua, Semo Kamea, Jack Gardner, Hila Vare
Uganda Squad: Ronak Patel, Simon Ssesazi(w), Roger Mukasa, Riazat Ali Shah, Dinesh Nakrani, Alpesh Ramjani, Robinson Obuya, Brian Masaba(c), Bilal Hassan, Cosmas Kyewuta, Henry Ssenyondo, Fred Achelam, Frank Nsubuga, Juma Miyagi, Kenneth Waiswa
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