ESPNcricinfo Staff
Batsman Asad Vala will lead Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the T20 World Cup to be held in West Indies and the United States. This is Vara’s second time as captain in this competition, having led the team in 2021. Vara will appoint all-rounder Charles Amini as vice-captain.
Ten of the 15 players selected for the 2024 tournament are also included in the 2021 squad, with Jack Gardner, who was a reserve three years ago, officially making the squad. Simon Atai, Jason Kira, Gaudi Toca, Nosaina Pokana and Damien Love were unable to compete, and were replaced by Gardner, Aley Nao, Gila Vale, John Carrico and Sema Kamea.
In 2021, PNG lost to Oman, Scotland and Bangladesh in the first round of the tournament, missing out on qualifying for the Super 12.
“The energy within the team was great,” Vara said. “For some of the boys who played in the last T20 World Cup, the preparation wasn’t as good as it is last time during the coronavirus pandemic, so they’ve had a lot of training and feel different now.” I know that, so I’m looking forward to this event. ”
PNG made it through the 2023 East Asia Pacific Qualifiers and won all six matches against Japan, Vanuatu and the Philippines, earning them a spot in this year’s T20 World Cup. They qualified for the T20 World Cup with a 2-0 series win over Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, immediately after winning the T20I tri-series that also included Nepal and Hong Kong.
Papua New Guinea will begin their World Cup campaign on June 2nd against West Indies, who are co-hosted in Guyana. Group C also includes Afghanistan, New Zealand and Uganda.
PNG national team at T20 World Cup
Asad Vara (captain), Charles Amini (co-captain), Aley Nao, Chad Soper, Hira Vallée, Hiri Hiri, Jack Gardner, John Carrico, Kabua Morea, Kipling Doriga, Rega Siaka. , Norman Vanua, Sema Kamea, Sese Bou, Tony Ula