Alei Nao, John Kariko standout performers for PNG: Assad Vala

Papua New Guinea (PNG) succumbed to their third straight loss in the T20 World Cup 2024, with the recent one coming against Afghanistan in Trinidad, going down to the Asian side by seven wickets. PNG huffed and puffed to 95 but pushed Afghanistan till the 16th over, but in the end, they had very less on the board.

PNG skipper Assad Vala, however, has lauded his bowlers for the show they put up in the tournament, singling out fast bowler Alei Nao and spinner John Kariko as the team's standout players.

"I think our opening bowler Alei [Nao], now has been impressive for us, taking early wickets out front in the three games we have played. And John Kariko, the left-arm spinner, has been bowling really well as well in his first T20 World Cup tournament," Vala said in the post-match press conference. 

"I think that especially the bowlers, I think the bowlers have carried us over the last three games. In terms of batting, I think just the one shining light for us was in the first game when he scored 50 for us but haven't got the runs to back up what the bowlers have been doing in the first three games."

Vala also assures that his side will give it their all in their final game of the tournament against New Zealand on June 17 (Monday) in Trinidad.

"They want to take some pride as well. They're disappointed that they've gone out the way they have. So, we're going to give everything that we've got in the next game against New Zealand," Vala said.

Speaking of the game against Afghanistan, PNG had as many as four run-outs in the game, which is unacceptable, according to Vala.

"I think some credit has to go to Afghanistan as well, they filled it really well in those four run-outs, but I think mine was a bit of a lazy option - not option but the lazy running that cost us the wicket, but I think there was some not enough good loud calls for us to change those run outs but something is a basic error that we need we can correct in the next game," he noted.

This is the second time PNG have qualified for the T20 World Cup, and they are yet to register a win in the tournament. Their final chance in the tournament will come against a wounded Blackcaps side in three days.

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