Garamuts Depart for Japan: Set Sights on World Cup Qualification
Papua New Guinea (PNG) U19 Garamuts Departed today to Japan where they will compete in the U19 Cricket World Cup East Asia Pacific Division 1 Qualifier from April 24 to 29.
The Garamuts, who earned their place in this elite tournament following a dominant performance at the 2024 EAP Division 2 Qualifier in Samoa, will face off against hosts Japan and Fiji in a battle for the region’s single qualification spot to the 2026 ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup.
The team, led by Gaba Frank (Captain) and Dauncey Tom (Vice-Captain), has undergone an intensive training schedule and a 10-day preparation tour to Queensland, Australia, thanks to the support of the PacificAus Sports program and the Cricket PNG–Queensland Cricket MOU.
High Performance Manager Tim Nielsen and Coach Kila Pala have been instrumental in shaping the squad’s readiness for the challenge ahead.
Cricket PNG National Youth Selector Hudson Leka offered encouragement to PNG Garamuts saying, "CHARGE FORWARD, GARAMUTS! PNG ROARS WITH YOU! As you head toward Japan, remember: you wear more than a jersey. You wear the Kumul’s courage, the stars of our destiny, and the fire of our nation...
This is your time. Step onto that field and fight like the warriors you were born to be. The Garamut drums are pounding."
The Garamuts aim to make history once again and continue the proud tradition of cricket in PNG.
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For further information, contact:
Email: info@cricketpng.org
Website: www.cricketpng.org.pg
About Cricket
PNG Cricket PNG (CPNG) is the National Sports Federation responsible for the governance, promotion and development of cricket in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
CPNG has been an Associate Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1973 and is supported by the ICC East Asia-Pacific (EAP) regional office, and more recently the PNG Olympic Committee.
CPNG currently has about 70 staff in ten (10) regions across PNG with a majority involved in driving entry-level participation through the Schools Kriket Programme and the School Kriket Programme (Malolo Hard-Ball Competition). In 2024, the School Kriket Programme reached over 129,000 students across PNG. Domestically, the Isuzu T20 Smash is our pinnacle event, supported by men’s and women’s Nationals at U19 and Senior levels. At the high-performance level internationally, our Barramundis (national men) are ranked 20th in T20 and had ODI status until early 2023, our Lewas (national women) are ranked 12th in T20 and currently have ODI status, our Garamuts (U19 boys) and Siales (U19 girls) have historically been the best performed of the ICC EAP U19 member teams.
