The national side lost its second group match to tournament favourites Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Saturday night, earning a fifth-place seeding for the Super Six competition, which began yesterday.

Cook Islands will play Vanuatu tonight at 7pm, followed by matches against Japan tomorrow, Indonesia on Saturday and regional giants Samoa on Sunday (Cook Islands times).

In the match against PNG, the Cook Islands was sent into the field after their opponents won the toss and elected to bat first.

An experienced Papua New Guinea side started strong – after surviving a close call for an early wicket, the team reached 128 runs before losing their first two batsmen.

PNG’s number three, Lega Siaka, spearheaded the campaign by smashing an unbeaten 80 runs from 50 balls, helping set a formidable target of 204 for five in 20 overs.

Cook Islands faced an uphill battle in the second innings, requiring a run rate of 10.25 per over to secure a win.

The national side struggled from the outset to keep pace with the required rate, managing only 155 runs for six in their 20 overs and ultimately falling short by 49 runs.

Opener Hayden Dickson was the top scorer with 50 runs from 32 balls (including six fours and three sixes), while Cory Dickson recorded the team’s highest strike rate, smashing a quick-fire 41 not out from just 21 balls.

Cook Islands Cricket Association president Grant Walker said it was a “tough game” against Papua New Guinea, adding they “put up a really tough number to chase”.

“We thought we had Tony Ura (PNG opener) out LBW for a duck but wasn’t given and he went on to put up 70+ runs,” Walker said.

“PNG played great, took the singles and twos and hit every mistake we made for boundaries and 6s.

“But we gave it a strong run and I think are rightly proud that we produced 155 runs against that bowling lineup they have.”
Walker said the focus is now to win all their Super Six matches.

“So on to the Super Six where our margin of error is very slim. We will need to win every game so that’s the plan.”

At the end of the Super Six, the top teams will earn their place in the next stage as they look to qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 in Australia and New Zealand.

Cook Islands

Players: Aue Parima – Aitutaki+Mangaia, Thomas Parima – Aitutaki +Mangaia, Cory Dickson – Rarotonga, Jared Tutty – Mauke, Ma’ara Ave (C) – Mangaia, Oscar Taylor – Rarotonga, James Pickering (WK) – Rarotonga, Hayden Dickson (VC)- Rarotonga, Paul Cummings – Atiu, Teaute Ravarua – Pukapuka, Jeremiah Shields – Aitutaki, Luca Grace – Mangaia, Quin Stephens – Rarotonga, Adison Rowe – Penrhyn. Support Staff – Head Coach: Ian West, Assistant Coach: Tomakanute Ritawa, Physio: Tali Wilson Munday, Manager: Rahul Patil.