West Indies vs Papua New Guinea T20 World Cup 2024 Match 2

The stage is all set for the start of 9th edition of T20 World Cup 2024, where 20 teams will be taking part for one month for 55 exciting games across 9 beautiful venues in West Indies and USA from Tomorrow. It will be the first time the hosting responsibility is given to United States of America to promote the gentlemen's game.  The inaugural event of the opening day will be played between the host West Indies and Papua New Guinea tomorrow evening at Province Stadium in Guyana. Talking about both teams, the hosts. West Indies looked really different before entering the marquee event as they are coming into the series after defeating the Proteas by 3-0 and winning the warm-up game against Australia by 35 runs, where they put a mammoth target of 257 runs while batting first and defending the target by 35 runs.

Whereas Papua New Guinea are the strongest team in the ICC East Asia-Pacific region, winning most ICC regional tournaments and having a similar record in the cricket tournament at the Pacific Games. After losing their ODI status, which they gained after finishing fourth in the qualifiers, they lost both 50 overs and T20I status after losing a playoff match against Nepal during the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier. However, next year, they reclaimed their ODI position after defeating Oman to secure a top-four finish in the 2019 ICC World Cricket League Division Two.

It's the second time, the PNG team have qualified for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 after 2021 World Cup. However, during the first warm-up game against Oman, Guinea lost the game by 3 wickets against Oman.

Rovman Powell will continue to captain the Windies, while Assadollah Vala will lead the PNG team.

Providence Stadium Pitch Report:

The pitch at the Province stadium is known for giving assistance to both batters and bowlers. However, Fast bowlers initially benefit from atmospheric conditions that favour swing and seam movement, while spinners become more effective during the match. Overall, this venue is regarded as more favourable for bowlers, particularly when the pitch slows down, allowing spinners to take advantage of the wearing surface.

Squads:

West Indies

 Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Obed McCoy, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

Papua New Guinea

Assadollah Vala (c), Alei Nao, Chad Soper, CJ Amini, Hila Vare, Hiri Hiri, Jack Gardner, John Kariko, Kabua Vagi Morea, Kipling Doriga, Lega Siaka, Norman Vanua, Sema Kamea, Sese Bau, Tony Ura

Who will win the match between West Indies and Papua New Guinea?

It will be the first time these two teams will be against each other in the shortest format of the game. However, they met once in 50 overs format 6 years ago, where West Indies emerged victorious. After the Caribbean team failed to even qualify for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, they are coming into this tournament as one of the favourite teams to lift the coveted trophy because of the home venue and the players they have in the squad who can single-headedly change the momentum of the game.

On the other hand, PNG has played just one ICC event and lost all their group-stage matches in T20 World Cup 2021. They rely on players like Captain Assadollah Vala and Charles Amini.

So we will be going with hosts for the 2nd match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.