New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2024 Full Scorecard

The Kiwis have won this by 7 wickets. On a length in middle, Daryl Mitchell lofts this over mid on and takes two to win this game. The fielder tried his best to take this but the ball kept travelling away from him and landed inches inside the fence towards long on.

On a length around off, Daryl Mitchell tucks this towards square leg for no run.

On a length around the pads, Daryl Mitchell flicks this towards fine leg region for a single.

FOUR! DISPATCHED! Good length outside off, Daryl Mitchell walks down the track and lofts this over cover for a boundary more. New Zealand needs just 3 more runs to win this.

FOUR! The finishing line is in sight of the Kiwis now. Pitched up down the leg, Daryl Mitchell glances this wide of the keeper to his left for a boundary towards the fine leg region.

Back of a length in middle, Kane Williamson slaps this towards deep square for one. The ball kept low and Kane Williamson did well to get it away.

Good length in the line of stumps, Daryl Mitchell flicks this away for one.

FOUR! Brilliantly picked up for four. Touch fuller on the pads, Daryl Mitchell picks it up and flicks this couple of bounces over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region. Runs have started to come for the Kiwis now.

On a length around off, Daryl Mitchell nearly chops this back onto the stumps. The ball just lands behind the off stumps and they run a single as the ball rolls to the keeper's left.

Good length outside off, Kane Williamson drills this through cover-point for one.

FOUR! Short-pitched around off, Kane Williamson swivels and pulls this flat through square leg for four.

A bit of awkward bounce on this one. Back of a length around off, Kane Williamson drops his guard and jams it down with a bit of his glove behind this.

Good length outside off, Kane Williamson dabs this towards the off side for no run.

On a length in the line of stumps, keeps low. Kane Williamson does well to block this out.

Drinks break! Well then, a pretty straightforward run chase but there hasn't been much momentum in the Kiwi innings. They lost a couple of cheap wickets after which skipper Kane Williamson and Devon Conway steadied the ship and they are now just 23 runs away from the win. Papua New Guinea will be proud of the way they have bowled so far and will look make a few more dents in the Kiwi batting line up.

Back of a length sliding down the leg, Daryl Mitchell gently helps this towards deep fine leg and scampers back for two.

On a length around off, Daryl Mitchell defends this well.

Bumper outside off, Daryl Mitchell goes for the pull and misses.

Good length around off, Daryl Mitchell defends this off the front foot.

Daryl Mitchell is the next batter in.

OUT! PLUMB! Good length angling into the batter on middle and leg. Devon Conway looks to play this late and run this fine towards the deep third region but misses. The ball sneaks past the bat and clatters onto the back pad. The umpire wastes no time and gives him his marching orders. Devon Conway asks for a review but all reds on the Ball Tracker confirm the on-field decision.

On a length drifting down the leg, Kane Williamson nudges this all along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Clean strike from Devon Conway! Pitched up right in the slot and on the stumps, Conway frees his arms and hits through the line of the ball, dispatching it over the long on fence for a biggie. 14 off that over!

Nagging length around off stump, Devon Conway tries to stay back and play it late but is beaten past the outside edge.

Pitched up very full and around the off stump, Kane Williamson leans ahead and strokes it nicely through the cover region. Norman Vanua from mid off runs after it and pulls the back in to save a run for his side.

Slightly shorter and angling in from outside off, Devon Conway goes on the back foot and opens the bat face playing it down to deep third for a run.

FOUR! Driven well! A bit too full and in the slot around off, Devon Conway drills it back past the bowler and to the left of mid off for a cracking boundary.

Full and wide of the off stump, Devon Conway squeezes it on the full but finds the man at backward point.

Bowled on the shorter side and over off stump, Kane Williamson gets across a bit and drops it with soft hands into the leg side.

FOUR! Pitched up full and outside off stump, Kane Williamson transfers his weight forward and drives it gloriously through covers and in front of the man at sweeper cover. The fielder dives across but fumbles and the ball goes into the fence. The fielder seems to be in some pain as well but hopefully, he is fine.

Fuller again and on the pads, tucked away towards deep square leg for a single by Conway.

On the fuller side and around off, Devon Conway reaches out to drive but miscues it badly to the right of the bowler.

Nagging length onto off and middle, staying low again, Devon Conway manages to block it out from the crease.

Bowled full and straight at the stumps, Devon Conway flicks it well but can't get it past the man at mid-wicket.

Flatter delivery, bowled on middle and leg, Devon Conway backs away and cuts it through the point region to make it five singles in the over.

Drops the length back a bit and turning away, this one bounces a bit extra as well, Kane Williamson goes on the back foot and taps it away in front of point for a single.

Flighted delivery, bowled full and around off, Devon Conway drives this one square on the off side but for just another single.

Too full, in fact, a low full toss that dips on middle and leg, Kane Williamson leans ahead and knocks it down to long on for a run.

Tossed up again and around off stump, Devon Conway drives it away through the gap at covers and picks up another single.

Tossed up on the off stump line, Devon Conway eases it towards cover.

Charles Amini is introduced into the attack.

Another dot to end the Powerplay, and New Zealand are 29/2! On a good length and on a tighter line around the off stump, Kane Williamson takes his hands back past the body and leaves it for the keeper.

On a good length outside off and slanting it away again but this one stays low, Kane Williamson looks for the cut but cannot get it away.

Shortens the length and bowls it over the stumps, Devon Conway dabs it away on the off side and scampers across for a quick single.

SIX! One hand off the handle but no problem! On a good length around middle, Devon Conway skips down the track and goes through with the lofted shot, hitting it with a straight bat and the ball travels over long on for a biggie.

A bit fuller and in the channel around off, Kane Williamson looks to block with soft hands but gets an outside edge that rolls to deep third for a single.

Drags the length short and slants the ball well wide of the off stump, Kane Williamson goes chasing after it but toe-ends it in front of covers.

Four dots on the trot to end up a fine over from Kabua Morea. Back of a length and around off stump, Devon Conway blocks it off the back foot.

Bowled back of a length and over the stumps, Devon Conway stays back and watchfully defends it just to the off side.

Pitches the ball up again at that nagging gentle pace and bowls it a lot straighter now. Devon Conway looks to get on the front foot and drives it uppishly towards mid on.

Floats it up a bit and bowls it full and wide of the off stump, Devon Conway waits on it and drives it straight to extra cover.

Pitched up around leg stump and angling back in, Kane Williamson looks to nudge it away but misses and the ball goes off the pads down to fine leg for a leg bye. This is given as runs though so maybe there was some inside edge.

The skipper of New Zealand, Kane Williamson, walks out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Kabua Morea comes back into the attack and picks up a big wicket right away. Morea comes from over the stumps and angles in a fuller delivery into the pads. Rachin Ravindra comes down the pitch and lifts the back leg, looking to loft the ball over deep mid-wicket but doesn't get the timing at all. The ball goes to mid-wicket and Semo Kamea comes in from the deep to hang on to the catch with both hands. A shaky start from New Zealand so far.

On a fuller length and at the stumps, Devon Conway opts to block it off the front foot.

Pitched up on the stumps, slower too, Devon Conway looks to come forward and drive it away but gets it off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket.

Good length over middle, Rachin Ravindra plays it with a straight bat and just pushes it gently to the left of mid off for a single.

Slightly shorter and angled across the left-hander, Devon Conway goes hard at it and slashes it away wide of deep third for a single.

SIX! Picked up and dispatched! A gentle half volley on the pads, Devon Conway walks down the pitch and flicks it on the full with stellar timing, and gets the ball over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Good length at the pads, flicked away towards mid-wicket for a quick single by Rachin Ravindra.

Full and at the stumps, jammed down towards mid on for a quick single.

On a length and around off stump, Devon Conway stays in his crease and punches it away through covers for one.

Quicker and flatter around off, Devon Conway goes on the back foot and jams it out on the offside.

Oh, that went past everything. Tossed up on a good length on off and angling in, Rachin Ravindra tries to play it off the back foot but is beaten by the extra bounce and so is the keeper. They get a bye as the ball rolls towards short fine leg.

A bit fuller and angled into the legs, Devon Conway wrists the ball away in front of square leg for one more.

Bowled shorter and angled in from around off stump, Rachin Ravindra rocks back and punches it away through covers for one.

Nicely bowled! Short of a good length around the top of off stump and bouncing a bit extra, Devon Conway does well to fend it away.

Banged in a bit and over the stumps, Devon Conway looks to bend his back and pull it away but mistimes it badly off the inner half of the bat.

FOUR! Just a bit too wide for the keeper and it runs away to the fence as well. Good length on middle and leg, the seam wobbles away after pitching, and Devon Conway is caught a bit on the crease. Conway doesn't quite pull out of the late dab and the ball goes off the higher part of the bat and past the keeper into the deep third fence.

Good length on off and middle, slanting away, Devon Conway stays put and punches it away in front of mid off.

Banged in shorter and angled well outside off, Devon Conway looks to slap it away but gets an under edge back to the keeper.

Pitched up on the off stump line, Rachin Ravindra gets on the front foot and punches it on the up wide of mid off for a single. Good fielding there as well.

Alei Nao will bowl from the other end.

Rachin Ravindra and New Zealand are finally off the mark but with a streaky shot. Pitched up around off stump and going away, Rachin steps out to flick but miscues it off the inside edge past backward square leg for a run.

Short of a length and outside the off stump, Rachin Ravindra looks to stay upright and play it away through covers but jams it down on the off side.

Another good delivery! Nagging length, attacking the middle stump, Rachin Ravindra looks to block but gets a bit of a leading edge down to backward point.

Nice and full, seaming away from the off stump line, Rachin Ravindra pushes it out towards point.

Misery continues for Finn Allen as he departs for a duck. Rachin Ravindra walks out next.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! What a start from Kabua Morea! The umpires do go upstairs to check whether it carried or not. This is bowled on a good length and outside off stump, staying a bit low as well. Finn Allen doesn't move his feet and just throws his hands at it and ends up getting a cue end that goes down in front of the keeper. Kipling Doriga pouches it safely and the replays show that the ball did carry. Allen departs for a duck and Papua New Guinea will be very happy with that.

On the money right away! Pitched up on middle and angling back in, Finn Allen offers a good old-fashioned defence off the front foot.

OUT! CAUGHT! That's it, Ish Sodhi picks up another wicket and Papua New Guinea have been bowled out here. This is tossed up full on the middle stump line, Alei Nao tries to get under it and slog it over deep mid-wicket but the connection isn't there. The ball goes high towards wide long on where Daryl Mitchell settles under it and takes a good catch. Papua New Guinea are bundled out for 78 runs!

Bowled a bit shorter on the stumps, Semo Kamea works it off the back foot to mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Semo Kamea walks out last to bat.

OUT! STUMPED! Tossed up full and outside off stump, it is the normal leggie that turns away from the right-hander. Kabua Morea steps down the pitch and misses the ball completely as Devon Conway whips off the bails and Sodhi picks up a wicket as well in the final over.

Edged but goes through! Tossed up on off stump, Alei Nao steps out to go big but gets an outside edge as the ball gets slice and goes quickly past the keeper towards third man. They get a single.

Trent Boult finishes with figures of 2 for 14 in his final T20 World Cup game.

A wicket and a single off Boult's final over in the T20 World Cup and it has been a stellar performance from him again. Goes full and nails it in the blockhole around off, Kabua Morea jams it out to covers.

Back of a length and angling in from around middle, Kabua Morea swats it away to mid-wicket.

Kabua Morea walks out next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Back to around the wicket and Trent Boult picks up another wicket. Boult brings out the variety with the knuckleball and bangs it into the deck and angles it in at the batter. Norman Vanua hangs back and looks to make room and pull it away but gets hurried. The ball gets lobbed off the top edge and comes down at the mid-wicket region where Daryl Mitchell takes an easy catch.

Bowls this one from over the stumps and over middle on a good length, Alei Nao hangs back and dabs it down past point for a run.

Full and honing in on middle stump, Alei Nao shuffles across to play the scoop and the ball just takes the cue end of the bat and goes to the off side. Trent Boult sees the funny side of the things there.

Leg bye! Fuller one angled into the legs, Norman Vanua fails to get it away and the ball rolls off the pads towards point. They sneak in a leg bye.

Held back a bit and drifted onto the off stump, Alei Nao plays it late and angles it to backward point.

Fuller one tossed up on middle, Norman Vanua flicks it away through mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Shorter one outside off and turning away, Norman Vanua looks to cut off the back foot but misses.

SIX! That has been dispatched! Tossed up a bit too full and on the off stump, Norman Vanua takes it on and gets under the ball, whacking it straight back over the bowler's head for a biggie. It has been a poor outing with the ball so far for Ish Sodhi.

Slows it up and floats it up around off stump, Norman Vanua blocks it to the off side.

FOUR! Poor delivery and dealt with. A half-tracker on the pads, Norman Vanua gets inside the line and helps it down to fine leg for a boundary.

Back of a length and on the pads, Norman Vanua stands tall and nudges it down in front of mid-wicket for another quick single.

Slightly shorter and outside off, cut away off the outer half of the bat behind point for a single.

Pitched up on the middle stump, looking to get another one past the bat but Alei Nao watchfully defends it off the front foot.

Alei Nao walks out next.

OUT! BOWLED! Another one bites the dust! Tim Southee delivers this one on a hard length on the off stump line and gets the ball to jag back in off the deck. Kipling Doriga makes room and tries to smoke it across the line but is beaten all ends up and the ball castles into the leg stump, uprooting it from the ground as well. Papua New Guinea losing their way now.

WIDE! Wayward from Tim Southee as he bangs it in short and angles it well down the leg side for a wide.

Leg bye! Back of a length and angled into the body, Norman Vanua misses the flick and the ball goes off the thigh pads behind point. They pick up a quick leg bye.

Swing and a miss! Short of a good length, trying to swing it away from off stump, Norman Vanua comes down the pitch and looks to smash it across the line but is well beaten.

Full again and around off, Norman Vanua gets an inside edge past the stumps and towards the fine leg region for another single.

Good length on off stump, Kipling Doriga charges down the track and hots it straight to mid off for a quick run.

Keeps it full and outside off stump, Norman Vanua drives it off the outer half of the bat to third man for a single.

Pitched up in the channel around off and gets it to straighten just a bit, Norman Vanua looks to drive on the up but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Norman Vanua walks out next.

OUT! TIMBER! A wicket for Trent Boult in his final T20 World Cup game. Drags the length back a bit and gets the ball to angle back in quickly from around off and middle. Hiri Hiri backs away to play it square on the off side but is well beaten and the ball hits the top of the leg stump. Papua New Guinea are now 6 down!

FOUR! Wow, aggressive shot but nailed to perfection! Trent Boult comes from around the stumps and looks to spear it in from around off, Hiri Hiri steps out, makes a bit of room and smashes it flat over covers for a boundary.

FOUR! Good hit from Kipling Doriga and the 50 is up for Papua New Guinea. This is flighted up around off stump, Doriga goes down on one knee and slogs it off the top edge down wind towards deep mid-wicket and picks up four runs.

Fuller one around off stump, heaved away down towards cow corner for a single.

Nagging length around off stump, Hiri Hiri tries to play it away but misses.

Up and over! Tossed up outside off, Hiri Hiri gets under the ball and lofts it over the cover region for a couple of runs.

On the shorter side, played off the back foot into the off side.

Beaten! Nicely tossed up around off stump, and turning away sharply, Hiri Hiri looks to drive but is well beaten.

Lockie Ferguson ends his spell by picking up three wickets. Hard length around off and middle, Kipling Doriga defends it out and all of Ferguson's teammates are ecstatic. He finishes with figures of 4-4-0-3, a feat unheard of in T20I cricket, especially at the biggest stage. However, this is the second instance of a bowler bowling four maidens in a Men's T20I game.

Hard length over middle and angling in, Kipling Doriga gets cramped for room and gets an inside edge off the pads towards gully.

Banged in quick and short around off stump, Kipling Doriga looks to take on the pull but cue-ends it badly in front of mid off.

TWO LEG BYES! Lazy fielding in the deep from Ish Sodhi. Short of a good length and angled into the batter, Kipling Doriga tries to step out and play at it but gets it off the thigh pads through backward point for a couple of leg byes.

Kipling Doriga walks out next.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Three for none for Lockie Ferguson, unreal! Goes a bit wider on the crease and angles in a fuller delivery at 144.4 clicks onto the off stump. Chad Soper backs away and tentatively tries to play it away on the off side but gets a gentle inside edge and the ball smashes into the stumps.

Pitched up around off at 141.3 clicks and honing in at the stumps, Chad Soper solidly blocks it towards cover.

Flatter delivery around off stump, Chad Soper goes hard at it and gets an inside edge past the stumps to short fine leg and picks up a single.

Slows it up and drags the length back, getting the ball to turn and bounce from the fifth stump line, Chad Soper backs away to cut but is well beaten.

Pushed through at the stumps, Chad Soper plays it back to the bowler.

WIDE! Bowled flatter but spilled down leg, good take from Devon Conway behind the stumps.

Nicely drifted in from around the stumps and onto the off stump, Chad Soper watchfully keeps it out on the off side.

Chad Soper walks out next.

OUT! CAUGHT! One brings two and Papua New Guinea have lost both their set batters in a jiffy here. Mitchell Santner tosses this one up around middle and gives it a nice loop. Sese Bau dances down the track and looks to launch it over long on but mistimes it badly. The ball goes straight to Finn Allen who is well inside the ropes at long on and he takes a simple catch.

Flighted delivery around middle, extracting some extra bounce off the deck. Sese Bau looks to sweep but fails to connect.

Another maiden for Lockie Ferguson, three in a row! Goes for the wide yorker and Hiri Hiri tries to give the charge and take it on but is well beaten.

Hard length again, attacking the top of off stump this time, Hiri Hiri stays back and manages to keep the ball out towards backward point.

Play and a miss! Hits the deck hard and bowls it in the channel around off stump, Hiri Hiri has a slash at it but is completely beaten.

Full and quick from over the stumps just around off, Hiri Hiri jams the ball out towards short cover.

Hiri Hiri walks out next.

OUT! LBW! Oh, that stayed quite low and there is a huge appeal for LBW but it is turned down. Lockie Ferguson bangs this one into the pitch and angles it back into the pads. Charles Amini hops to tuck but is beaten by the low bounce and gets thudded on the pads. There was also a run out chance as the ball rolled away to the off side and Glenn Phillips missed the direct hit with the batters stranded halfway down the pitch but Kane Williamson did take the review and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds. The bowling change has worked right away for the Kiwis.

Starts the new spell from around the stumps and bowls it full and wide outside off stump. Charles Amini looks to drive at it but is beaten and the ball dies on its way to the keeper.

Floated up on the pads, Sese Bau looks to flick it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

On a dragged length around middle and holding in the surface, Charles Amini gets a leading edge on the off side and picks up a quick single.

Tossed up on a length and at the stumps, Charles Amini comes forward and pushes it straight to mid on.

That is very clever from Sese Bau. Floated up on off stump and turning in, Bau brings out the reverse paddle and just dabs it down towards fine leg and picks up three runs as well.

Tosses this one up a bit more around middle, Charles Amini leans on and knocks the ball down to long on for one more.

Floated up on a shorter length and over off stump, Sese Bau presses back and tucks it neatly past square leg for a single.

Drinks break! A pretty sedate start to the match and even though New Zealand have plugged the runs, they have managed to pick up just two wickets in the first ten overs. Since the spinners have been on, Papua New Guinea have managed to score a bit more freely, and with wickets in hand, they will look to shift gears in the second half of the innings. Can PNG get to that three-figure mark? Or will the Kiwis be able to pick up wickets in a hurry and keep them to a low total? We shall find out.

Tossed up in the line of stumps, Sese Bau rolls this towards wide long on for one.

FOUR! Smashed away. Length dragged back around middle and off, Sese Bau rocks back and smashes this wide of the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary. Bau was clearly up for this delivery and he latched onto this one.

Tossed up on off, Charles Amini pushes this gently towards point and takes a quick single.

LEG BYE! Tossed up on the pads, Sese Bau dances down the track and looks to slog this but misses. The ball deflects off his pads towards the off side and they rotate strike.

Short of a length outside off, Charles Amini slaps this through point for a single.

Flipper outside off, Charles Amini looks to block this and gets beaten all ends up.

Quicker and fuller on the pads, Sese Bau goes for the sweep and misses.

Flights this on off, Charles Amini drills this bat towards his partner on the other end. The ball skips past the bowler and deflects from Bau's bat towards long off and they take a single.

Fuller around middle and leg, Charles Amini rolls this towards mid-wicket for a dot.

Hangs it around the pads, Sese Bau goes back and tucks this towards deep square for a single.

Tossed up on off, Sese Bau defends this off the front foot.

Fuller one on the pads, Sese Bau looks for the push towards the on side but misses.

Quicker one on the pads, Charles Amini flicks this through square leg for a couple. A good over for Papua New Guinea.

WIDE! Fuller one way too wide outside off, Charles Amini leaves it all alone.

FOUR! A poor fielding effort by Mitchell Santner costs a boundary. Fuller around middle and leg, Charles Amini sweeps this curving away from Mitchell Santner at deep square. The fielder dives and tries to field this but the ball deflects off his hands and lobs over the fence.

Tossed up on the pads, Sese Bau drills this to long on for one.

Length dragged back around leg, Sese Bau jumps down the track and goes for the slog sweep but misses.

Wrong'un around off, Sese Bau goes for the slog sweep and misses. The ball misses everything and Devon Conway collects this behind the stumps. A bit of discussion as there was some noise as the ball passed the batter but the Kiwis decided not to review. The replays show that it did take a bit of a pad on its way.

Fuller around the pads, Charles Amini tucks this towards square leg for one.

Time for some leg spin as Ish Sodhi comes into the attack.

Short-pitched delivery climbing on the batter around off, Sese Bau slashes at it but misses.

On a length in the line of stumps, Sese Bau advances and defends this well.

Good length outside off, Sese Bau advances down the track and looks to take on the infield on off but misses.

Short and wide outside off, Sese Bau flashes hard at it and gets beaten.

On a length going across the batter. Sese Bau leaves it all alone.

Good length delivery angling across the batter, Sese Bau goes fishing and gets beaten.

Good length around middle and leg, Charles Amini tucks this towards the leg side for another dot to end the over.

Back of a length outside off, Charles Amini plays the square cut towards cover-point for no run.

On a length around off, Charles Amini blocks this off the front foot.

Back of a length pitching on off and shaping away from the batter. Charles Amini pokes at it and gets beaten.

On a length around off, Sese Bau jumps down the track and smashes this towards mid off and takes one.

Good length around off, Charles Amini thumps this towards cover-point and takes a quick one.

On a length angling across the batter, Sese Bau flashes at it and misses.

Back of a length around off, Sese Bau defends this off the front foot for no run.

Short-pitched outside off, Sese Bau looks for the upper cut but misses.

Good length around off, Sese Bau leaves it all alone.

Good length around off, Sese Bau cuts this towards Glenn Phillips at backward point. Glenn Phillips throws at the non-striking end with the batter nowhere near the crease. The ball misses the stumps and Ish Sodhi does the backing up. Had Glenn hit the stumps it would have been it for Charles Amini.

Sese Bau is the new man in.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Fuller one angling across the batter, Assad Vala throws his bat at it with no footwork towards the line of it. Gets an outside edge straight to Daryl Mitchell at first slip.

Good length outside off, Charles Amini smashes this into the surface towards short cover for no run.

Good length around off, Charles Amini thumps this towards cover for no run.

WIDE! Full and wide outside off, Charles Amini leaves it all alone.

On a length in the line of stumps. Charles Amini blocks this off the front foot.

Good length outside off, Assad Vala dabs this towards backward point and takes a single.

Back of a length around off, Assad Vala scuffs the drive off the inner edge back to the bowler.

WOAH! This was an inswinging delivery just outside off, Assad Vala looks to slog this and gets beaten on the inside this time.

On a length outside off, Charles Amini pokes at it and misses.

Short-pitched around leg, Assad Vala pulls this towards fine leg region for one.

FOUR! SPLENDID! A touch fuller on off, no movement on offer, Assad Vala plays the on drive a bit uppish but away from the bowler's reach to his left. Gets a boundary down the ground.

Too hot to handle for Vala. Good length around off, shaping away from the batter. Assad Vala goes fishing and gets beaten.

Good length outside off, Assad Vala looks to push at it and gets beaten on his outside edge.

Good length in and around that off-stump. Assad Vala opens this bat face and tucks this towards point for no run.

Fuller around off, Charles Amini drives this towards cover for no run.

FOUR! LUCKY! Good length angling across the batter. Charles Amini looks to drive this but gets an inside edge just past the leg pole and away for a boundary towards the fine leg region.

Fuller outside off, Charles Amini goes for the drive and misses.

Charles Amini walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Tim Southee DRAWS FIRST BLOOD! Pitched up on off, a bit of away movement on this after pitching. Tony Ura looks to drag this towards the on side but gets an outside edge to the left of Glenn Phillips at point. Glenn Phillips runs sideways and takes a good catch.

LEG BYE! Touch fuller around leg, Assad Vala misses the flick and the ball deflects off his pads towards leg for one.

Good length angling away from the batter, Assad Vala throws his bat at it and gets beaten comprehensively.

Tim Southee to operate from the other end.

LEG BYE! On a length around the pads, Assad Vala misses the ball as it deflects off his pads towards square leg and they take a single.

Back of a length on top of off, Assad Vala jams this back towards the bowlers.

On a length around off, Assad Vala blocks this off the front foot.

Good length around the pads, Assad Vala tucks this towards mid-wicket for no run.

BEATEN! Good length around off, away movement on this after pitching. Assad Vala pokes at it and gets beaten.

Attacks the stumps first up. Good length pitching on off and shaping back in towards the batter. Tony Ura pushes this towards off and takes a quick single.

Done with the pre-match formalities and it is finally time to get the play underway! It is a bit more sunny out in the middle and we will have a full game, at least for now. The umpires are out in the middle and Trent Boult is seen exchanging hugs with all his teammates as he gets ready to take the new ball in what could potentially be his final T20 game for New Zealand, certainly his final T20 World Cup game. It will be skipper, Assad Vala to open the innings for Papua New Guinea alongside Tony Ura. Boult is raring to go with a slip in place, let's go...

Right then, the rain has stopped and the covers are off. It will be a quick turnaround and the match is scheduled to start at 9.05 pm IST (3.35 pm GMT). The match officials are already out in the middle. The two sets of players line up along with their mascots for the respective national anthems. It will be the national anthem of Papua New Guinea first followed by that of New Zealand.

UPDATE - 8.38 pm IST (3.08 pm GMT) - The start time earlier was 8.50 pm IST (3.20 pm GMT) but it looks like we are in for more of a delay. There is no further update on the actual start time and for now, we can only hope that the match does get underway soon. Stick around as we bring you the latest news from the ground.

The skipper of Papua New Guinea, Assad Vala says they have taken lots of learnings from the previous games. Adds it is going to be tough batting first on this surface. Informs that they have two changes with Charles Amini and Kabua Morea coming in for Lega Siaka and John Kariko.

Kane Williamson, the captain of New Zealand says that they will bowl first and it has started raining again. Adds that it is about putting on performances and it is a bit frustrating because they didn't have a nice start but will look to build on the last win. Informs that they have one change with Ish Sodhi coming on for James Neesham.

Papua New Guinea (Playing XI) - Tony Ura, Assad Vala (C), Charles Amini (replaces Lega Siaka), Sese Bau, Hiri Hiri, Chad Soper, Kipling Doriga (WK), Norman Vanua, Alei Nao, Kabua Morea (replaces John Kariko), Semo Kamea.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Finn Allen, Devon Conway (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (C), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi (In for James Neesham), Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

TOSS - The skipper of New Zealand, Kane Williamson has won the coin flip and he has decided to BOWL FIRST. And just on cue, the rain is back again and the skipper interviews are done quickly after which the covers are brought back on. It seems to be just a light drizzle though.

UPDATE - 8.28 pm IST (2.58 pm GMT) - Toss in a couple of minutes time at 8.30 pm IST (3 pm GMT). Play will begin at 8.50 pm IST (3.20 pm GMT) and for now, no overs are lost which is excellent news.

UPDATE - 8.16 pm IST (2.46 pm GMT) - Well, it seems like the rain has stopped in Tarouba. We might have to wait a while though before getting a proper update from the umpires as the ground staff will need a bit of time to get the ground ready for play back again. Hopefully, the rain stays away and we can get proceedings underway. Stay tuned for more updates.

UPDATE - 8.02 pm IST (2.32 pm GMT) - Scratch the previous update. It seems like the weather does not like inconsequential matches. After a brief break, the rain is back. The covers are back on and we will have another delay. Frustrating for everyone involved. Stick around for more updates.

UPDATE - 7.55 pm IST (2.25 pm GMT) - The visuals show the two umpires having a chat with the match referee regarding the timings of play. Toss will take place at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT) which is great news.

UPDATE - 7.48 pm IST (2.18 pm GMT) - There is some good news from the ground! The rain seems to have subsided and the visuals show that the covers are coming off. It looks like we will have a quick turnaround and hopefully, we get an update on the toss soon. Stay tuned.

UPDATE - 7.33 pm IST (2.03 pm GMT) - Just as we were gearing up for the toss, the rain has descended at the ground and the toss has been delayed. The covers are coming on but hopefully, it is just a passing shower. Stay tuned for more updates.

Papua New Guinea, on the other hand, have got a good taste of what it takes to play the top Nations and they did well in patches against the mighty Windies side. They have lost all three games they have played so far but they would have relished the opportunity to go head-to-head against some of the top Nations. Charles Amini, Assad Vala, Tony Ura, and Sese Bau have batted well and provided glimpses of the quality they could work with. This game against a side filled with players of gigantic stature would be a massive learning curve for them. With what the surface has been offering and the way the Kiwis have performed a chance of an upset can not be denied. Which side emerges victorious in this David vs Goliath contest? We shall find out soon. Stay tuned for the toss and team update...

The campaign of New Zealand began at a low with Afghanistan crushing them and virtually knocking them out with a massive dent to their NRR. The side then went on and lost to the Windies and that sealed the early exit for them. New Zealand though won their previous game where they dismantled Uganda but the train had already left the station by then. The Kiwis will be playing their last game of this campaign and this will also be the last time we see Trent Boult bowling for them at the T20 World Cup. The side has got all it takes to beat any opposition but they have not performed anywhere near their ability thus far. The side though will look to end the campaign on a high by crushing the Associate nation and look to start afresh going ahead. 

Hello and welcome to all our viewers. It is time for game no. 39 of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. New Zealand takes on Papua New Guinea at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.

... MATCHDAY ...

We have reached the end of the group stage of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup and in the penultimate game of the group stage, New Zealand will take on Papua New Guinea at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. Both these teams are out of the race to qualify for the Super 8s from Group C as host West Indies and Afghanistan have sealed those two places. This comes as a bit of a shock as New Zealand have been one of the most consistent sides in men's cricket for the last decade or so. The Kane Williamson-led unit have enjoyed a few fruitful years going on to win the first-ever World Test Championship then making the finals of the 2021 T20 World Cup and reaching the semifinals of the 2023 ODI World Cup but this time in a tough group they have lagged behind a couple of teams and that defeat against West Indies, a game they could have easily won, completely shattered their hopes. They did bounce back brilliantly against Uganda and bowled them out for just 40 runs but it was a bit too late by then and now, their focus will be on picking up another comprehensive win and finishing their campaign on a positive note. They have a well-drilled unit as usual with most players very highly-rated in international cricket. The top order is certainly inconsistent but the bowling unit looks well-settled. Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner will be the ones to watch out for with the ball as both of them can be lethal at different stages of the game. Papua New Guinea on the other hand have lost all three games so far but that loss against fellow associate nation Uganda would have been pretty demoralizing as PNG have more experience playing at this level and would have backed themselves to win that game. The likes of Assad Vala, Sese Bau and Charles Amini have done decently with the bat and that first game against West Indies could have even gone their way. With the ball in hand, they have done decently as a unit but need to be more lethal with the ball and in the field as well. The batting against quality bowling sides hasn't always been up to the mark and they will need to be at their best if they to pull off an upset here and get their first win of the competition. Who are you backing for the win?