PNG Women vs Samoa Women – T20I Pacific Cup Match Preview (17 June 2025)

Match Details:

• Format: T20
• Date: 17 June 2025
• Time: 13:00 GMT
• Venue: To be confirmed
• Series: Women's T20I Pacific Cup, 2025
• Match Number: 3rd Match

Match Outlook

The third match of the Women's T20I Pacific Cup will see Papua New Guinea Women (PNG Women) take on Samoa Women in what promises to be an intriguing encounter. With both teams looking to establish themselves early in the tournament, this match carries significant weight in the standings and could go a long way in shaping the group dynamics.

PNG Women, currently sitting at the top of the table with one win and two points, will be eager to continue their strong start. Their most recent victory came against Vanuatu Women, where they secured a 35-run win. The PNG squad has historically dominated this fixture, with a record of 10 wins in the last 14 encounters, including two notable 10-wicket wins in 2024 and 2023.

Samoa Women, on the other hand, are yet to register a win in the tournament and come into this match with a single point from one match played. They will be under pressure to perform and will need to capitalize on PNG’s potential vulnerabilities, particularly in the field or on the bowling front, to secure their first victory.

Head-to-Head Record

The historical record between these two sides heavily favors PNG Women:

• 17/01/2024: PNG Women won by 10 wickets (72 balls to spare)
• 03/09/2023: PNG Women won by 9 wickets (73 balls to spare)
• 16/03/2023: PNG Women won by 160 runs
• 05/10/2022: PNG Women won by 10 wickets (94 balls to spare)
• 03/10/2022: PNG Women won by 8 wickets (62 balls to spare)
• 10/05/2019: PNG Women won by 7 wickets (20 balls to spare)

While Samoa has recorded a few notable wins in the past (notably in 2019 and 2017), PNG Women have consistently emerged stronger in more recent clashes.

Team Form & Key Players

PNG Women:

• Form: Strong, with a decisive win over Vanuatu in their last match.
• Key Batters: Liane Rumpus, Mariko Sato
• Key Bowlers: Amaia Saunui, Helen Nand
• Fielding: PNG Women have shown excellent catching and aggressive fielding, which could be a key factor in this match.

Samoa Women:

• Form: Struggling in the tournament so far. Need to improve their batting and bowling consistency.
• Key Batters: Lavea Lavea, Tausi Tafili
• Key Bowlers: Salome Ma’afu, Lani Togafale
• Fielding: Needs to step up significantly to match PNG’s intensity.

Weather & Venue Conditions

The match will be played in a likely coastal or inland location, depending on the final venue announcement. However, based on similar past matches, the pitch is expected to offer a fair balance between batting and bowling. A dry and sunny day would favor the batters, while a slightly overcast pitch could assist the spinners.

Prediction

Considering the form, historical performance, and the current standings, Papua New Guinea Women are the clear favorites to win this match.

• Predicted Score: PNG Women 117 for 6, Samoa Women 86 for 9
• Winning Team: Papua New Guinea Women
• Projected Margin: 31 runs
• Top Performer: Liane Rumpus (PNG Women) – with a crucial half-century and a wicket or two in the field.

Conclusion

This match is a pivotal one for both teams. For PNG Women, it's an opportunity to widen the gap at the top of the table, while for Samoa Women, it's a chance to prove their mettle and regroup for the upcoming fixtures. With PNG Women's strong record and current form, they are expected to come out on top, but Samoa will be looking to make a statement and break the cycle.

Don’t miss the action on 17 June 2025 at 13:00 GMT!
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