The last time Papua New Guinea played Kenya was the 1990 ICC Trophy in the Netherlands. Papua New Guinea were winners that day, but since then Kenya had gone on to much brighter things.

But these days Kenya are on a decline, and Papua New Guinea are one of the rising stars of the associate world. But even so, the win today - especially the manner in which it happened - was a surprising one.

Kenya won the toss and chose to bat first, with Steve Tikolo rolling back the years with a quickfire 38 from just 19 balls as he top scored in an opening partnership of 51 from the first six overs. Collins Obuya scored an unbeaten 53 from 40 balls to help take the Africans to 176-5 from their 20 overs.

A formidable total, and one that many - including myself - didn't think Papua New Guinea would even get close to.

They showed their intent by smashing 18 from the first over, and never slowed down from there. Tony Ura hit 25 from just 8 balls before he was out, but nothing was going to stop the sole East Asia Pacific representatives in the tournament.

Geraint Jones and Kila Pala combined to put on 73 for the third wicket, a partnership that ended when Jones was out for 44 from 32 balls. Pala then put on the accelerator pedal with Chris Kent as the two put on 29 for the fourth wicket in just three overs before Pala was out for 46.

Chris Kent followed soon after having scored 21 from 11, but by now it was too late for the Kenyans. Papua New Guinea secured the four wicket win with 2.2 overs to spare.

Papua New Guinea will now be full of confidence of making the play-offs, and possibly qualifying for Bangladesh. They've long been considered the sleeping giants of the associate world, and this win - combined with the warm-up win over Ireland - could well be the jumping off point they need to start hitting the big time. They play the Netherlands tomorrow, and it'd be a brave person to rule out them winning again.

Kenya meanwhile will have to dust themselves down before their next match against Nepal tomorrow. Nepal weren't perfect earlier today, but they could challenge the Kenyans.