Retiring veteran Perelini Mulitalo struck the winning runs as Samoa beat Japan by three wickets in the final match of the East Asia Pacific Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
Both teams were playing for pride in Apia after Papua New Guinea sealed top spot a day earlier.
Shizuka Miyaji top-scored with 27 as Japan posted their best total of the week, reaching 135 for 8 from 50 overs.
Lagi Otila Telea was the pick of the bowlers for the home side with 2 for 23, while the hosts also managed to execute a whopping five run-outs.
Player of the match Telea proved even more effective with the bat, top-scoring with 49, but it was Perelini Mulitalo who hit the winning runs with seven overs to spare, after announcing that it would be her last game for Samoa after six years.
Samoa’s second win against Japan sealed second place, with the Japanese finish winless.
Meanwhile PNG pipped the Cricket Without Borders selection by one run in a 35 over practice match.
The Lewas will now go on to play in the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup Global Qualifier.
Source: RadioNZ