Samoa delivered a commanding performance to secure a 9-wicket victory over Fiji in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Region Qualifier A at Faleata Oval No. 2, Apia. Darius Visser starred for Samoa with a brilliant all-round performance, taking 4/11 with the ball and smashing 30* off 12 balls with the bat. The match also saw Samoa’s wicketkeeper Afapene Ilaoa set a new record for the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in an innings for Samoa, with 5 dismissals.
Match Report:
Fiji won the toss and opted to bat first but struggled against a disciplined Samoan bowling attack. Fiji was bowled out for just 62 runs in 14 overs. Solomon Nash struck early, removing both James Junior (9) and Dawson Tawake (11) before Darius Visser wreaked havoc, claiming 4 wickets for just 11 runs in his 4 overs. Apete Sokovagone was the only Fiji batter to show some resistance, scoring 19 off 15 balls, but the rest of the lineup crumbled under pressure. Samoa’s wicketkeeper, Afapene Ilaoa, had a standout performance behind the stumps, with 5 dismissals, setting a new record for Samoa in T20Is.
Chasing a modest target of 63, Samoa made quick work of the task, reaching 63/1 in just 5.1 overs. Sean Cotter provided a solid start with 24* off 12 balls, while Darius Visser capped off his Player of the Match performance with an explosive 30* off 12 balls, including 4 sixes. Anish Shah was the only Fijian bowler to take a wicket, dismissing Solomon Nash for 3.
Key Moments:
- Darius Visser’s outstanding all-round performance, taking 4/11 with the ball and scoring 30* off 12 balls.
- Afapene Ilaoa’s record-setting 5 dismissals as a wicketkeeper in T20Is for Samoa.
- Samoa’s dominant performance with both bat and ball, securing victory with 89 balls to spare.
Brief Scores:
Fiji: 62 all out in 14 overs (Apete Sokovagone 19, James Junior 9; Darius Visser 4/11, Solomon Nash 3/16)
Samoa: 63/1 in 5.1 overs (Darius Visser 30*, Sean Cotter 24*; Anish Shah 1/32)
Samoa’s emphatic 9-wicket win over Fiji in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Region Qualifier A highlighted their strength and depth in both batting and bowling. Darius Visser’s exceptional performance, along with record-breaking efforts from Afapene Ilaoa, ensured a comprehensive victory. Fiji will need to regroup quickly as they move forward in the tournament.
