Assad Vala to lead as Papua New Guinea announce squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Papua New Guinea will kick-off their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against West Indies on June 2.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) have named a 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the West Indies and the UAE. PNG will compete in the major event for the second time in the shortest format, having previously played three years earlier in 2021.

Assad Vala was the captain back then, and he has been nominated captain again, with Charles Amini serving as his deputy. PNG have been slotted in group C in the T20 World Cup alongside co-hosts West Indies, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and Uganda. They will start their campaign against the Rovman Powell-led West Indies on June 2 in Guyana.

PNG qualified for this year’s T20 World Cup by winning the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in 2023, winning all six matches against Japan, Vanuatu, and the Philippines.

Notably, 10 of the 15 players from the 2021 squad have been selected again for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States. The five players who did not play in that edition were Simon Atai, Jason Kila, Gaudi Toka, Nosaina Pokana, and Damien Ravu.

“I am looking forward to this event”- Assad Vala

During the 2021 T20 World Cup in UAE, PNG lost all of their group games in 2021 to Oman, Scotland, and Bangladesh, but they will be hoping to perform better this time around. However, captain Assad Vala is determined to have a better performance by his team in this edition of the tournament.

“The energy has been great within the team. For some of the boys who went to the last T20 World Cup, it’s a different feeling now with a lot of the training, because the last time was during Covid and the preparation wasn’t as good as what we’re going through now. I am looking forward to this event because I know we are going to do well,” Vala said as per ESPNCricinfo.

They entered the T20 World Cup by winning a 2-0 series against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, which followed their victory in a T20I tri-series with Nepal and Hong Kong.

PNG squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2024:

Assad Vala (capt), Charles Amini (vice-capt), Alei Nao, Chad Soper, Hila Vare, Hiri Hiri, Jack Gardner, John Kariko, Kabua Morea, Kipling Doriga, Lega Siaka, Norman Vanua, Sema Kamea, Sese Bau, Tony Ura

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