By Tim Douglas 
Castel, August 14, 2025 – Papua New Guinea (PNG) stamped their authority on the European summer with a confident 6-wicket triumph over Guernsey in the One-off T20I at the King George V Sports Ground. Powered by a commanding 85 from Sese Bau and backed by disciplined new-ball bowling, PNG chased down 166 with four balls to spare.
Guernsey Set Competitive Total Through Nightingale’s Brilliance
Electing to bat first, Guernsey faced early pressure as PNG’s seamers struck twice in the powerplay. Alei Nao, operating with precision, removed Lucas Barker (1) and Josh Butler (13) to leave the home side struggling at 20/2.
Captain Tom Nightingale stepped up to anchor the innings, compiling an elegant 75 from 51 balls. His knock featured nine boundaries and two sixes, blending timing with calculated aggression. He found an able partner in wicketkeeper Isaac Damarell, whose fluent 45 off 27 balls injected momentum during the middle overs.
Despite the solid platform, PNG’s bowlers fought back in the death overs. Nao’s figures of 2/21 led the attack, with Kabua Morea and John Kariko chipping in to restrict Guernsey to 165/6. The total was competitive, but PNG’s batting depth loomed large.
Sese Bau Dominates PNG’s Chase
PNG’s reply began with an early setback when Peter Karoho was dismissed for 7. However, any Guernsey hopes of building pressure were quickly dashed by Sese Bau’s authoritative strokeplay.
Bau’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. He struck 13 fours and two sixes on his way to 85 off 52 balls, keeping PNG ahead of the rate throughout. His 99-run stand with Boio Ray (46 off 35) was the match’s decisive partnership, dismantling Guernsey’s bowling plans.
Charlie Forshaw’s spell of 3/29 offered a glimmer of resistance, but by the time he broke the Bau-Ray stand in the 14th over, PNG required just 45 from the final six overs.
Closing Out the Win
Bau’s dismissal in the 19th over came too late to influence the result. Skipper Assad Vala (14* off 12) and Hila Vare (9* off 6) finished the job, guiding PNG to 168/4 in 19.2 overs. The victory was as much about temperament as it was about power-hitting, underlining PNG’s growing maturity in run chases.
Key Highlights of the Match
- Alei Nao’s early double strike derailed Guernsey’s top order.
- Bau-Ray 99-run partnership took the game away from the hosts.
- Forshaw’s fightback with the ball delayed, but could not deny PNG’s win.
Brief Scores
Guernsey – 165/6 in 20 overs (Tom Nightingale 75 off 51, Isaac Damarell 45 off 27; Alei Nao 2/21, Kabua Morea 1/30, John Kariko 1/33)
Papua New Guinea – 168/4 in 19.2 overs (Sese Bau 85 off 52, Boio Ray 46 off 35; Charlie Forshaw 3/29, Josh Butler 1/36)
Result – Papua New Guinea won by 6 wickets with 4 balls to spare.
Player of the Match – Sese Bau (PNG)
Victoria Hamilton 
Zainab Shafiq