Image Credit- ICC
Papua New Guinea is starting to turn the corner from being known as the nearly men in the competitive world of associate cricket. They had an excellent chance to qualify in 2014 and 2016, but they missed the bus. However, they are currently participating in their second T20 World Cup in three years, having made their breakthrough in the UAE in 2021.
Their first-ever T20 World Cup 2024 matchup against the West Indies was only their eighth versus a Full Member, and for a while, PNG sensed an upset, so reputation didn’t really matter. They huffed and puffed to 136, and with 16 overs remaining, they had West Indies at 97 for 5. Then Andre Russell and Roston broke their aspirations.
After playing catch up for the bulk of their innings, Assad Vala, the captain of PNG, thought they would have been able to challenge West Indies with a “few more runs towards the end”. PNG rallied from 34 for 3 thanks to a brilliant 43-ball 50 from Sese Bau. Kiplin Doriga then added impetus near the finish line to make an 18-ball 27.
“I think batting as well, I think we didn’t play the crucial moments the way we wanted,” Vala said. “They had batsmen towards the end, which we didn’t. I think we missed out on a few runs towards the end as well. But I think credit to them. They got a lot of experience. So, I think we played really well. We executed our skills really well.
“We just couldn’t execute towards the end when we were put under pressure, but really happy with the overall performance of the boys. We didn’t post the target we wanted, but they fought till the end, so really happy with the effort.”
Ale Nao, a fast bowler, hit Johnson Charles with the first ball. Nicholas Pooran should have been the first ball, but PNG decided not to challenge the LBW claim despite video showing the ball had pitched in line and would have struck middle and leg. After hitting him for 18 in his only over, Pooran eventually found his rhythm. However, after being dismissed for a run-a-ball 27 in the ninth over, PNG turned the screws and the spinners stormed back.
“I think Sese Bau batted really well. And John Kariko, the left-arm spinner bowled really well. I think, Alei upfront with the new ball. There was a lot of stuff that we did really well,” Vala said. “I think there are a lot of positives to take out from the game today. I think the overall performance was really good, but just the key moments that we just couldn’t put the nail in the coffin. But I think as I said before the effort was outstanding, we kept fighting against a really good side so happy, really happy.”