Rain isn't something you usually associate with the United Arab Emirates, but rain may just have played spoilsport for Papua New Guinea today in Sharjah.

Batting first after winning the toss, PNG got off to another great start, racing along at around eight an over before the first rain delay occurred just before the halfway stage. Asad Vala then fell for 28 just after the resumption with the score on 76.

That didn't stop the Papua New Guinea side though, with Tony Ura continuing his fine form with 56 from 49 balls. Geraint Jones had a brief but brutal cameo, smashing 24 from just nine balls as his team made 167-3 from their 20 overs. Samiullah Shenwari was the pick of the bowlers with 3-23.

Another shower caused a long delay between innings, and when play resumed, Afghanistan's target was reduced to 69 from seven overs, a much more palatable run chase than 168 in 20 overs.

And the Afghans set off about that target quickly, reaching 53 before Mohammad Shahzad was the second wicket to fall in the fifth over. PNG held on right until the end though, taking it right down to the last ball as Mohammad Nabi reached 36.

With Afghanistan on 68, captain Chris Amini bowled the last ball - which promptly missed everything and went to the boundary for four byes. An unlucky end to another good performance from Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea have a day off tomorrow before taking on Nepal on Tuesday. Afghanistan have a two day break and will be back in action on Wednesday when they play Bermuda.