PNG have announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Captain Assad Vala continues to lead the side, and he said that qualifying for the World Cup is a dream come true.
This squad that PNG have named is not too different from the one that played in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019. As many as 13 of them that featured in that squad are present in this one as well. John Reva and Riley Hekure are the only ones missing.
Opening batsman Gaudi Toka, left-arm seamer Kabua Vagi-Morea and fast bowler Jack Gardner have been added to the squad. Toka has played international cricket before, while Morea and Gardner are uncapped.
PNG were impressive in the 2019 World Cup qualifiers as they topped Group A with five wins and one loss (to Scotland) before they beat Namibia in the semi-final.
They lose to the Netherlands in the final, which stopped their dream run, but PNG made history as they qualified for the T20 World Cup.
“There are no superstars in our 11 or 15. We are a well-drilled team, well-disciplined. We just rely on playing our roles and executing our skills to the best of our abilities. T
o be able to finally qualify for one and participate in one of the World Cups is a dream come true for me, and speaking on behalf of all my teammates, it will be an honor for us. It’s the pinnacle of cricket, being able to play against the best in the world,”
PNG skipper Assad Vala was quoted as saying by India TV.
The side will be looking to impress in their debut global ICC tournament. PNG are placed alongside Oman, Scotland and Bangladesh in Group B for the first round. They play their first game against Oman on the opening day of the tournament on October 18.
