Assad Vala, the 34-year old mainstay of Papua New Guinea, will captain the team at their maiden ICC world tournament. PNG announced a 16-member squad for the T20 World Cup which starts next month. PNG are placed in Group B alongside Oman, Scotland and Bangladesh, with two of the four moving through to the Super 12 stage of the competition. Their opening match takes place on October 17 against Oman.

PNG have never qualified for a global tournament before, but won five of their six matches at the T20 World Cup qualifier in 2019 co-hosted by the UAE and Oman, finishing behind the Netherlands, whom they lost to in the final. Charles Amini, who was the vice-captain at the tournament, has also been named in the squad. No reserve players have been named.

Following the game against Oman, Papua New Guinea take on Scotland on October 19, and Bangladesh on October 21.

Papua New Guinea haven't played a T20I since November 2019, but are currently taking part in an ODI series also involving Nepal and the USA in Oman. PNG have lost each of their first four ODIs.

Squad: Assad Vala (c), Charles Amini, Lega Siaka, Norman Vanua, Nosaina Pokana, Kiplin Doriga (wk), Tony Ura, Hiri Hiri, Gaudi Toka, Sese Bau, Damien Ravu, Kabua Vagi-Morea, Simon Atai, Jason Kila, Chad Soper, Jack Gardner