Finishing in the top two in Pool A is the focus for the Papua New Guinea men’s cricket team as they prepare for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) Challenge League Goup A tournament in Kenya.
The event, used as the qualifying pathway for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, will be held from 21 to 31 October.
Cricket Papua New Guinea (Cricket PNG) has named a 14-player squad for the event, with the PNG Barramundis facing a crucial series of matches in their attempt to qualify for the world cup.
The squad will depart PNG on 13 October.
They wiill go through Dubai, where the team will play two 50-over matches against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), before continuing to Kenya for the tournament.
Cricket PNG said on Tuesday that the side currently sits third in Pool A.
They have five games to play in Kenya, and must win all the matches to safeguard their chance of finishing in the top two.
“The Challenge League is an important step in the ICC’s pathway towards qualification for the men’s world cup , making every match critical for the Barramundis as they look to strengthen their position in the competition,” Cricket PNG said.
The selected squad brings together experienced national players and emerging talent.
PNG Barramandis head coach Tim McCaskill said the team will need to approach every fixture with a strong focus on performance and results.
“Winning all five matches would give the Barramundis a chance of finishing in the top two, although their final position will also depend on the other teams’ results,” he said.
“The two 50-over matches against the UAE before the tournament will provide valuable preparation, allowing the squad to build match readiness and fine-tune its approach ahead of the opening fixture against Jersey.”
With a combination of experienced national representatives and emerging players, Cricket PNG will be looking for the squad to deliver consistent performances with both bat and ball throughout the competition.
Crciket PNG said the inclusion of Sema Kamea provides the Barramundis with an additional pace-bowling option, with the left-arm fast bowler returning to the national squad ahead of the Kenya campaign.
Kamea is expected to bring pace and aggression to the bowling attack.
Young batting allrounder Dauncey Tom, 19, has also earned selection in his first senior national squad.
Cricket PNG said Tom’s inclusion offers the team additional batting depth and another bowling option when required and his selection represents an opportunity to gain valuable experience at senior international level while contributing to the Barramundis’ campaign.
Wicket keeper-batter Doko Rupa has also been selected, earning an opportunity to press his claims for a place in the playing side after being overlooked earlier in the year.
PNG will play five matches in Kenya, beginning against Jersey on Thursday, October 22.
The Barramundis will then face Denmark, Qatar, Kuwait and hosts Kenya in a demanding schedule that will test the squad’s consistency across the tournament.
PNG Barramundis squad: 1 Assadollah Vala, 2 Sese Bau, 3 Patrick Nou, 4 Kabua Vagi Morea, 5 Lega Siaka, 6 Alei Nao, 7 Gaba Frank, 8 Boio Ray, 9 John Kariko, 10 Tony Ura, 11 Dauncey Tom, 12 Doko Rupa, 13 Sema Kamea, 14 Aue Oru
- 22 October v Jersey
- 25 October v Denmark
- 27 October v Qatar
- 30 October v Kuwait
- 31 October v Kenya
