Papua New Guinea thrashed Japan by 92 runs in the fifth match of the ICC Women’s World T20 East Asia-Pacific Qualifier at the Sano International Cricket Ground.

Japan suffered their fifth defeat in a row in the competition as Papua New Guinea’s monstrous score of 155-6 was too much for the Japan batters, who were bowled out for 63.

Japan won the toss and captain Kurumi Ota elected to field first. It looked like a sensible decision when Papua New Guinea opener Sibona Jimmy skied the first ball of the match. But Ota (1-36) failed to hang on to the catch off her own bowling.

Jimmy went on to score 30 in an opening stand of 64 with Tanya Ruma (33).

That partnership set the platform for Konio Oala to let loose on the Japan bowling. Oala scored 28 from 15 balls including a sweet six over mid-wicket.

Even after Aki Umetani (2-7) dismissed Oala and Ruma in the same over, Brenda Tau (28*) continued the fast scoring in the death overs and helped Papua New Guinea post the highest score of the tournament so far.

The game was always beyond the Japan batters, but it was positive to see openers Ota (8) and Madoka Shiraishi (9) play attacking shots.

Shiraishi was run out after a sharp piece of fielding and Mai Yanagida was caught the following ball off Mairi Tom (2-13).

Player of the match Jimmy (4-13) was the pick of the Papua New Guinea bowlers as she ripped through the middle order.

Etsuko Kobayashi, with 17 from 12 balls, was one positive performance as she struck three consecutive fours in her innings.

Kobayashi was the last to fall as Japan were bowled out in 13.2 overs.

After the defeat, Coach Katrina Keenan said: “It is a disappointing result. That score was always going to be extremely difficult to chase but I was pleased to see the girls bat with a more aggressive mind-set.”

In the later game of the day, Samoa beat Vanuatu by 4 wickets to remain top of the pile going in to the final round of fixtures. Vanuatu were bowled out for 46, the lowest score of the tournament so far, and Samoa chased it down with 19 balls to spare.

Japan face Vanuatu in the final match of the tournament tomorrow, while in the early fixture Samoa and Papua New Guinea will fight it out for top spot and qualification to the next round.