With 2 runs needed from 1 ball remaining, PNG Barramundis Alei Nao, played the last and final ball of the innings to the boundary for a 4 to win the match for the Barramundis as they beat Samoa by 2 wickets in the ICC T20s World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier 2026. 

The Barramundis Right-Arm fast bowler not only won the match for his side but also took out the Player of the Match honors with an impressive all-around performance.

With his final ball heroic play, Nao finished with 15 runs (not out) from 12 balls faced, with the bat.

While he also took 3 wickets from his fast bowling, at the expense of 30 runs from his regular 4 overs.

The Samoans won the toss and elected to bat first, and were bundled out for 112 runs, as their final wicket fell on the last ball of the final 20th over.

PNG’s John Kariko, was the best bowler in the match, finishing with 3 wickets from his 4 overs with an economy rate of 3.73 runs per over. 

Aue Oru continued his consistency with the ball as he collected 2 wickets, while Kabua Morea contributed with 1 wicket.

The Samoan bowlers started well by dismissing PNG’s Openers with both Sese Bau (9) and Lega Siaka (2). 

Skipper Assad Valla (26) and Batsman Boio Ray (22) tried to steady the innings mid-way through the match, but the Samoans had other plans as they reaped through PNG’s batting order.

As the match went into the 20th and final over, PNG needed 8 runs to win from just 6 balls with Nao and Morea at the crease. 

With one final ball of the match remaining, PNG needed only 2 runs to win. 

Nao stepped up to find the boundary as the Barrramundis clinched their 3 wins in the qualifiers.

Match statistics are as follows Samoa 112 all out (20overs) and PNG Barramundis 115/8 (20overs), as the Barramundis escaped defeat.