Assad Vala to captain PNG at the T20 World Cup

Assad Vala has been named the captain of the 15 member squad of Papua New Guinea for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. It will be Vala’s second stint as skipper of a World Cup bound squad, having previously led them in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman. 

Charles Amini has been picked as Vala's deputy in a squad where 10 of the 15 players featured three years ago. Jack Garnder, who was a reserve player in 2021, made the cut this time around, along with Sema Kamea, John Kariko, Hila Vare and Alei Nao. 

Squad: Assad Vala (c), Charles Amini (vc), 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

PNG qualified for the showpiece event by finishing at the top of the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier last year. They are clubbed with co-hosts West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda and New Zealand in Group C.