ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019, Final, Dubai International Cricket Stadium: Netherlands v PNG – Preview, likely XIs, prediction

And so it comes to this. The two most consistent teams in the tournament will face off in the final, with Netherlands and Papua New Guinea besting Ireland and Namibia respectively in the semi-finals to seal their place.

Incidentally, both teams progressed from Group A of the initial stages of the Qualifier, and in their previous clash, it was PNG who came out on top, securing a fairly easy five-wicket win with as many as six balls to spare.

In that match, the PNG bowlers tied up the big-hitters in the Netherlands line-up – the highest score their top six managed was 13 – and then, sensible knocks from Assad Vala, Sese Bau and Tony Ura were enough to give PNG a solid victory, one that turned out to crucial in them finishing atop the group.

Will lessons have been learnt from that defeat? Netherlands will hope so. As the tournament has progressed, many expected their run to end, but they have shown no signs of stopping. Seeing off the mighty Ireland in the semi-final was a big feat from the Netherlands, and they have looked more than assured both setting and chasing targets.

But PNG became the first side from the Qualifier to book Australia berths for a reason – this should really be a cracking contest.

Head to head

The meeting in the group stage, which PNG won by five wickets, was the first ever meeting in a T20I between these two sides.

Key players

Ryan ten Doeschate (Netherlands): The Netherlands middle order tyro has performed the crucial task of adding quick runs for the side more often than not in the tournament. In the semi-final he scored a 25-ball 43* to take the total out of Ireland’s reach, and it was just one a few such displays in the UAE. Expect one more final flourish from the veteran.

Sese Bau (PNG): Bau’s role in the side is, it seems, to chip in with the important stuff, be it a breakthrough during a threatening partnership or a quick burst of runs when the situation deems it necessary. He has been excellent in doing these roles so far this tournament, and is one of the prominent pillars of this excellent PNG side.

Likely XIs

Netherlands: Max O’Dowd, Ben Cooper, Colin Ackermann, Pieter Seelaar (c), Ryan ten Doeschate, Roelof van der Merwe, Scott Edwards, Timm van der Guten, Fred Klaassen, Brandon Glover, Paul van Meekeren

PNG: Tony Ura, Assad Vala (c), Lega Siaka, Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Kiplin Doriga (wk), Norman Vanua, Riley Hekure, Jason Kila, Damien Ravu, Nosaina Pokana

Prediction

PNG have had a fine tournament. As have the Netherlands. But something tips this PNG’s way.