One of the more experienced sides in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019, the Assad Vala-led Papua New Guinea outfit will fancy their chances of a top-six finish in order to make it to the main event next year.

Overview

Placed 16th on the MRF Tyres ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, Papua New Guinea can be considered one of the stronger contenders in the tournament.

They come into the tournament with a wealth of experience behind them too. Seven of their 15 players have played at least 30 international games across the two white-ball formats.

They have a point to prove. Their recent international games have been in the fifty-over format, where they have lost each of their eight games in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 against sides like Scotland, Namibia and Oman, each of whom are also playing this tournament.

🇵🇬 @Cricket_PNG recently won six matches out of six at the #WT20 EAP Qualifier A to progress to the regional finals! They of course celebrated with their victory song! 🎶 pic.twitter.com/i2QThb14yC — ICC (@ICC) September 2, 2018

How they got here: Papua New Guinea enjoyed a breezy run in their journey to the T20 World Cup qualifier. They won every completed game of both the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier Group A, and the subsequent East-Asia Pacific Regional Finals Qualifier too.

T20WC history

Papua New Guinea have never featured in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Key player

Assad Vala – He is not only the team's captain but has been one of their most reliable contributors with both bat and ball. His off-spin has fetched him 10 wickets at 14.80 in T20Is with an economy rate of 6.48. His returns with the bat in the shortest format haven't been very eye-catching so far, but he'll look to turn that around.

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One to watch

Nosaina Pokana – This 23-year-old is among the fastest bowlers in the PNG squad and his left-arm angle adds another dimension to their attack. In 11 T20Is, he has picked up nine wickets at 12.33 and has taken 20 wickets from 14 ODIs at 25.15. The youngster will look to stamp his mark on the qualifying tournament.

Fixtures

19 October: v Bermuda, ICC Academy, Dubai

20 October: v Namibia, ICC Academy, Dubai

21 October: v Scotland, ICC Academy, Dubai

24 October: v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai

25 October: v Singapore, Dubai International Cricket Stadium

27 October: v Kenya, Dubai International Cricket Stadium