The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific (EAP) Qualifier
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific (EAP) Qualifier gets underway in Port Moresby from 22 to 29 July.
Japan, Philippines, and Vanuatu join Papua New Guinea (PNG) in a 12-match long battle, over eight days, for one spot which will be a direct ticket to what will be the biggest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup ever, in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA) in June 2024.
PNG made their World Cup debut in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 which was hosted by India but staged in the UAE and Oman. They returned for the 2022 edition in Australia and will look for a repeat performance in their regional qualifier and put to action the lessons learned in the two global events.
Cricket Papua New Guinea CEO, Richard Done said: “Cricket PNG is thrilled to be hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier in Port Moresby. We have a long and proud history of cricket in the country, and we are excited for the world’s eyes to be on Port Moresby for a week of top-quality international men’s cricket. We are ready to go in what is set to be one of the biggest sporting events ever seen in PNG, with a direct qualification to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on the line.”
PNG Captain, Asadollah Vala said: “The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier means a lot to the PNG players as this is the biggest cricket tournament ever hosted in Papua New Guinea. We know that winning this event will take us directly to ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024, but we’re not looking too far ahead. We will focus one match at a time against three good teams from Japan, the Philippines and Vanuatu. The boys have been working hard and are looking forward to the first game this Saturday.
“We can’t wait to play at home where our family and friends will be out in full force to support the team - it’s good extra motivation to do well.
“Thank you to the ICC, and to our all our sponsors for bringing in the specialist coaches over the last year to help us prepare for the tournament. See you all on Saturday 22nd July 2023 at Amini Park in Port Moresby.”
The participating squads are as follows:
Japan: Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Ryan Drake, Kohei Kubota, Piyush Kumbhare, Wataru Miyauchi, Supun Nawarathna, Sabaorish Ravichandran, Reo Sakurano, Alexander Shirai-Patmore, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Mian Muneeb Siddique, Tsuyoshi Takada, Ibrahim Takahashi, Makoto Taniyama, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake.
Philippines: Hernie Ma Isorena, Surinder Singh, Amanpreet Singh Sirah, Gurbhupinder Singh, Arashdeep Singh Samra, Kapil Kumar, Huzaifa Mohammed Akram, Grant Ronald Russ, Josef Erwin Abayata Doctora, Kepler Dean Lukies, Francis Norman Walsh, Jordan Ethan Henry Alegre, Daniel Christopher Evan Smith, Liam Jacob Myott, Jean Miguel Catapang Podosky.
PNG: Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Kipling Doriga, Jack Gardner, Riley Hekure, Hiri Hiri, Sema Kamea, John Kariko, Alei Nao, Lega Siaka, Tony Ura, Kabua Vagi-Morea, Asodollah Vala, Norman Vanua, Hila Vare.
Vanuatu: Patrick Matautaava, Junior Kaltapau, Ronald Tari, Andrew Mansale, Simpson Obed, Darren Wotu, Apolinaire Stephen, Williamsing Nalisa, Joshua Rasu, Nalin Nipiko, Womejo Wotu, Jarryd Allan, Clement Tommy, Jamal Molidurumahava Vira.