Papua New Guinea's hopes of qualifying for the 2023 Cricket World Cup are all but over after slumping to a three wicket defeat by Canada in their latest match at the World Cricket League 2 event in Namibia.
After electing to bat first, the Barramundis found themselves in immediate trouble with Tony Ura out LBW on the first ball of the match at Windhoek.
Charles Amini and Chad Soper also departed cheaply as PNG slumped to 15 for 3 in the eighth over.
Captain Assad Vala was the only bright spot with the bat, top scoring with 82 from 112 balls - with no other teamate managing more than 17 runs - and was the last man dismissed as the Barramundis were all out for 154.
PNG Barramundis captain Assad Vala. Photo: Cricket PNG
The veteran all rounder also proved effective with the ball, nabbing 2 for 24 from an economical 10 overs but he was unable to prevent the Canadians from reaching their victory target with more than 15 overs to spare, to give them their first win of the competition.
PNG have lost three of their four matches to date and must now beat top of the table Oman by a large margin in their final group match and hope the USA and Namibia score big wins against Canada and Hong Kong to give them any hope of a top four finish to earn promotion to Cricket World Cup League 2, which forms part of the qualifying process for the 2023 World Cup.
The Barramundis players during a lighter moment in Namibia. Photo: Cricket PNG
