Papua New Guinea

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) cricket team, affectionately known as the Barramundis, represents a country where cricket is making significant strides in a landscape dominated by other sports like rugby and Australian rules football. Established in 1972, the team is administered by Cricket PNG and has gradually carved out a niche for itself on the international stage.

Though PNG is relatively new to cricket's upper echelons, their journey through the ranks of Associate and Affiliate membership is commendable. One of their major milestones was achieving One Day International (ODI) status in 2014 after performing admirably in the ICC World Cup Qualifier. This achievement marked a significant breakthrough, allowing them to compete more fiercely on the international scene.

Among their memorable achievements, PNG qualified for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2020, a first for the team, which heralded their arrival on the global stage, though the tournament was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. Players like Assad Vala, the captain and a pivotal figure in both batting and bowling, have been instrumental in the team's progress. Another key player is Tony Ura, known for his explosive batting at the top order, and Charles Amini, whose all-round abilities add depth to the squad.

PNG's style of play is characterised by an infectious enthusiasm and athleticism. The team is known for its dynamic fielding and spirited performances. Their strengths often lie in their ability to mount swift counter-attacks with the bat and maintain pressure with disciplined bowling.

Matches against fellow Pacific Island teams such as Vanuatu have become somewhat of a local derby, laden with regional pride and cultural significance. The PNG-Vanuatu match-ups often draw considerable interest due to their competitive spirit and shared historical ties.

While not having a definitive home stadium, Amini Park in the capital, Port Moresby, serves as a popular venue for their home games. The fan culture is vibrant yet casual, with cricket followers in Papua New Guinea sharing their passion for the game through local clubs and community events. Cricket here is more than just a game; it's a growing part of the cultural fabric that brings communities together, celebrating sportsmanship and unity.

With continued development and support, the Barramundis are poised to become more significant contenders in the international cricket landscape, buoyed by a rich blend of raw talent and passionate support from their fans back home.

Group C, 39th Match, ICC Men's T20 World Cup - June 17, 2024

New Zealand

79/3 (12.2)

Papua New Guinea

78/10 (19.4)

New Zealand won by 7 wickets (with 46 balls remaining)

Player of the Match

Lockie Ferguson

Group C, 29th Match, ICC Men's T20 World Cup - June 14, 2024

Afghanistan

101/3 (15.1)

Papua New Guinea

95/10 (19.5)

Afghanistan won by 7 wickets (with 29 balls remaining)

Player of the Match

Fazalhaq Farooqi

Group C, 9th Match, ICC Men's T20 World Cup - June 5, 2024

Papua New Guinea

77/10 (19.1)

Uganda

78/7 (18.2)

Uganda won by 3 wickets (with 10 balls remaining)

Player of the Match

Riazat Ali Shah

Group C, 2nd Match, ICC Men's T20 World Cup - June 2, 2024

West Indies

137/5 (19)

Papua New Guinea

136/8 (20)

West Indies won by 5 wickets (with 6 balls remaining)

Player of the Match

Roston Chase

Papua New Guinea tour of Malaysia, 2nd T20I, Twenty20 International - March 17, 2024

Malaysia

161/4 (20)

Papua New Guinea

98/10 (17)

Malaysia won by 63 runs

Player of the Match

Virandeep Singh

Papua New Guinea tour of Malaysia, 1st T20I, Twenty20 International - March 16, 2024

Malaysia

129/9 (20)

Papua New Guinea

206/3 (20)

Papua New Guinea won by 77 runs

Triangular Series Final (Hong Kong), Final, Tri-Series - March 13, 2024

Nepal

85/10 (16.3)

Papua New Guinea

171/8 (20)

Papua New Guinea won by 86 runs

Player of the Match

Tony Ura

Triangular Series (Hong Kong), 3rd T20I, Tri-Series - March 12, 2024

Hong Kong

121/10 (18.3)

Papua New Guinea

124/0 (12.4)

Papua New Guinea won by 10 wickets (With 44 balls remaining)

Player of the Match

Sese Bau

Triangular Series (Hong Kong), 2nd T20I, Tri-Series - March 12, 2024

Papua New Guinea

113/10 (16.1)

Nepal

198/6 (20)

Nepal won by 85 runs

Papua New Guinea tour of Oman, 3rd T20I, Twenty20 International - March 8, 2024

Oman

128/6 (19)

Papua New Guinea

127/6 (20)

Oman won by 4 wickets (With 6 balls remaining)

Player of the Match

Khalid Kail

Assad Vala
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 37

Charles Amini
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Legbreak
Age: 33

Tony Ura
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style:
Age: 35

Lega Siaka
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 32

Sese Bau
Position: Middle Order Batter
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 32

Kiplin Doriga
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style:
Age: 29

Gaudi Toka
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 30

Chad Soper
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 33

Jason Kila
Position: Bowling Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Age: 35

Damien Ravu
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 30

Nosaina Pokana
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Left Arm Fast
Age: 29

Norman Vanua
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 31

Kabua Morea
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Left Arm Fast Medium
Age: 31

Hiri Hiri
Position: Middle Order Batter
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 29

Simon Atai
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style:
Age: 25

Semo Kamea
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Left Arm Fast
Age: 23

Riley Hekure
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 30

Alei Nao
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 31

Jack Gardner
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style:
Age: 24

John Kariko
Position: Bowler
Batting Style:
Bowling Style:
Age: 22

Hila Vare
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style:
Age: 23

Michael Charlie
Position: Batsman
Batting Style:
Bowling Style:
Age: 25