(Cricket News) Assad Vala, the batting all-rounder from Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been named as the skipper to lead the national side at the T20 World Cup starting next month in the Caribbean and the USA. Vala will be at the helm in a global event for the second time, having previously led the side at the 2021 T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman.

The 15-member squad for PNG includes 10 of the 15 players that featured at the World Cup three years ago. PNG has retained their core and would hope for better results this time around. Charles Amini has been named Vala’s deputy for the big event.

PNG made it to the T20 World Cup this time around, by topping the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier last year. A lot of their players holds the experience of playing at a World Cup, which could well prove crucial for the side’s chances in the Caribbean and the United States.

“The energy has been great within the team,” Vala said. “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.”

PNG are placed in Group C, where they will face against the likes of West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan and Uganda. They will kickstart their campaign against the co-hosts West Indies on the 2nd of June at the Providence stadium.

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