Hey there, cricket fans! Imagine stepping into a stadium buzzing with excitement, where underdogs take on giants, and every ball could change the game. That’s exactly what happened in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 when the Papua New Guinea National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Match Scorecard. This wasn’t just any match—it was a classic tale of grit versus glamour, played on June 2, 2024, at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence. West Indies, the defending champions from 2012 and 2016, walked in as favorites, but PNG, making their second-ever World Cup appearance, showed they weren’t there to just participate. They put up a fight that had everyone on the edge of their seats.
If you’re new to cricket or just love a good story, don’t worry—this article breaks it all down in simple terms. We’ll chat about the teams, the build-up, the nail-biting action, and of course, a full scorecard in a handy table. By the end, you’ll feel like you were right there in the stands, cheering for every six and wicket. Let’s dive in!
The Teams: Who Are These Cricket Warriors?
First things first, let’s get to know the players on the field. Cricket is a team sport, but it’s the individuals who make the magic happen. The West Indies team, often called the “Windies,” is like the rock stars of the game. They’ve won the T20 World Cup twice and have legends like Chris Gayle in their history books. In this match, they were led by captain Rovman Powell, a hard-hitting all-rounder. Their squad was packed with firepower: explosive openers like Johnson Charles and Brandon King, the explosive Nicholas Pooran behind the stumps, and finishers like Andre Russell, who’s known for smashing the ball out of the park.
On the other side, the Papua New Guinea national cricket team is the heartwarming underdog story. PNG only got full ICC membership in 2017, and cricket there is growing fast amid stunning landscapes and diverse cultures. Captain Assad Vala, a steady batsman and handy spinner, guided a team full of passion. Players like Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, and wicketkeeper Kiplin Doriga brought energy, while bowlers like Charles Amini and John Kariko added bite. This was PNG’s second T20 World Cup—they’d lost all three games in 2021 but came back stronger, winning their qualifier without a loss. Fun fact: Their coach, Phil Simmons, is a former West Indies player, which added a cool twist!
Both teams were in Group C, and this was their opening match. West Indies had been on a roll, winning four T20Is straight before the tournament, including a clean sweep against South Africa. PNG, meanwhile, had beaten Nepal convincingly in a warm-up. The stage was set for a clash where experience met enthusiasm.
The Build-Up: Toss, Conditions, and Expectations
Picture this: It’s a warm evening in Guyana, with the sun setting over the Caribbean Sea. The pitch at Providence is known for being a bit slow, favoring spinners and steady batsmen rather than all-out sluggers. Rain was in the forecast, but thankfully, it held off for most of the game—though there was a short delay during West Indies’ chase.
West Indies won the toss and chose to field first. Smart move? Captain Powell thought so, wanting to assess the pitch under lights. PNG’s Vala looked a bit disappointed but rallied his troops. Expectations were sky-high for West Indies; they were aiming to defend their title and start strong. Analysts predicted a comfortable win, maybe chasing 160 with ease. But PNG? They were the dark horses. As Vala said later, “We treated them like India or Australia—no fear.” Little did anyone know, this underdog spirit would nearly cause an upset!
The Match Unfolds: PNG’s Batting – A Fight for Every Run
PNG opened their innings with Tony Ura and Lega Siaka. The West Indies bowlers, led by Alzarri Joseph and Akeal Hosein, came out firing. Ura, usually a dasher, fell early for just 2 runs, caught by Pooran off Romario Shepherd. That brought in captain Vala, who steadied the ship with a mix of elegant drives and a big six. He scored 21 off 22 balls before Chase dismissed him.
The middle order struggled. Siaka made 8, Sisi Eusebio 4, and Charles Amini 12—West Indies’ bowlers were on top. Joseph took 2-25, and Russell grabbed 2-19, including the big wicket of Hiri Hiri for a duck. But then came the hero of PNG’s innings: Sese Bau. Batting at number 5, Bau played like a seasoned pro. He faced 43 balls, hitting 4 fours and 3 sixes for an unbeaten 50. His partnerships with Kiplin Doriga (who scored 18) and Norman Vanua (1) pushed PNG to a respectable total.
In the end, PNG finished at 136 for 8 in 20 overs. It wasn’t a massive score, but on this pitch, it felt defendable. Vala later said they were “10-15 runs short” but proud of the fight. West Indies’ bowlers, especially Roston Chase with 1-26, kept things tight. Now, the chase was on—could West Indies handle the pressure?
West Indies’ Chase: From Steady Start to Nail-Biting Finish
Chasing 137 in T20 is usually straightforward for West Indies, but PNG had other ideas. Openers Johnson Charles and Brandon King started aggressively. Charles smashed a four early, but in the first over, PNG reviewed an LBW decision against him—it was umpire’s call, and he survived. But joy was short-lived; Charles fell for 0, bowled by Amini.
King looked solid, scoring 8 before rain interrupted play. When they resumed, Nicholas Pooran joined him. The duo added 33 runs before King was run out for 22— a mix-up that PNG celebrated wildly. Pooran, the explosive keeper-batsman, fell for 12, caught off Vala. Enter Rovman Powell and Roston Chase. Powell struggled, surviving a review for 18 before being caught.
At 84 for 4 after 13 overs, West Indies were wobbling. Sherfane Rutherford added 12 before a brilliant catch by Vala off his own bowling. The required rate climbed to over 10, and tension was thick. But then, Andre Russell and Roston Chase turned it around. Chase, the quiet all-rounder, exploded with four fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 42 off 25 balls. Russell, the big-hitter, smashed 15 not out, including a massive six off the last over.
PNG’s bowlers fought hard—Amini took 1-28, Vala 1-14, and Kariko 1-33—but they couldn’t stop the momentum. West Indies crossed the line at 137 for 5 in 19 overs, winning by 5 wickets. What a thriller! Chase was named Player of the Match for his match-winning knock.
Papua New Guinea National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Match Scorecard: At a Glance
To make it super easy, here’s the complete scorecard in a table. It’s like a snapshot of the game—batting, bowling, and all the key stats. Whether you’re 10 or 100, you can follow along!
Papua New Guinea Innings
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Ura | c Pooran b Shepherd | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Lega Siaka | c Charles b Joseph | 8 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Assad Vala (c) | c Chase b Joseph | 21 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 95.45 |
| Sisi Eusebio | b Russell | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 57.14 |
| Charles Amini | c King b Motie | 12 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Sese Bau | not out | 50 | 43 | 4 | 3 | 116.28 |
| Kiplin Doriga (wk) | c Powell b Russell | 18 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Hiri Hiri | c Pooran b Shepherd | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Norman Vanua | c Charles b Chase | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| John Kariko | not out | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | (lb 5, w 11) | 16 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 136/8 (20 overs) | 136 | – | – | – | 6.80 RR |
Did not bat: Alei Nao
Fall of Wickets: 2-1 (Ura), 13-2 (Siaka), 28-3 (Vala), 34-4 (Eusebio), 50-5 (Amini), 103-6 (Doriga), 103-7 (Hiri), 107-8 (Vanua)
West Indies Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alzarri Joseph | 4 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 |
| Akeal Hosein | 4 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 7.00 |
| Andre Russell | 4 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 4.75 |
| Gudakesh Motie | 4 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 7.00 |
| Romario Shepherd | 2 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 8.50 |
| Roston Chase | 2 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 13.00 |
West Indies Innings
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson Charles | b Amini | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Brandon King | run out (Doriga/Vala) | 22 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 122.22 |
| Nicholas Pooran (wk) | c Ura b Vala | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Rovman Powell (c) | c Hiri b Vanua | 18 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 90.00 |
| Roston Chase | not out | 42 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 168.00 |
| Sherfane Rutherford | c & b Vala | 12 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Andre Russell | not out | 15 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 214.29 |
| Extras | (b 1, lb 3, w 12) | 16 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 137/5 (19 overs) | 137 | – | – | – | 7.21 RR |
Did not bat: Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie
Fall of Wickets: 0-1 (Charles), 33-2 (King), 45-3 (Pooran), 84-4 (Powell), 100-5 (Rutherford)
Papua New Guinea Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Amini | 4 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 7.00 |
| Alei Nao | 2 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 7.50 |
| Assad Vala | 4 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 3.50 |
| Norman Vanua | 3 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 9.00 |
| John Kariko | 4 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 8.25 |
| Hiri Hiri | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 8.00 |
Match Result: West Indies won by 5 wickets (with 6 balls remaining). Player of the Match: Roston Chase (West Indies) for his unbeaten 42. Match Officials: Umpires – Rashid Riaz and others; TV Umpire reviews used twice.
Key Moments That Kept Us Guessing
Cricket is all about those “what if” moments, right? This match had plenty. Early on, PNG lost quick wickets, but Bau’s fifty was a game-changer—he turned a potential 100 into 136 with smart placement and power hits. West Indies’ chase started shaky with Charles’ golden duck and the rain break, leaving them at 8/1 after 1.4 overs.
The turning point? When West Indies slumped to 100/5 needing 37 off 39 balls. PNG smelled blood—Vala’s catch to dismiss Rutherford was brilliant. But Chase’s onslaught, including back-to-back boundaries off Kariko, shifted gears. Russell’s six in the 19th over sealed it. Oh, and those DRS reviews? PNG’s early one on Charles was close, and West Indies’ on Powell didn’t go their way. Every decision mattered!
Stats-wise, West Indies’ chase was their slowest in recent T20 World Cups, but Chase’s strike rate of 168 showed why he’s a clutch player. PNG’s total was their highest in World Cups, beating their 2021 efforts.
Post-Match Vibes: What the Captains Said
After the game, Rovman Powell was relieved: “Their plans were simple, but we got the two points. PNG played good cricket—we respect that.” He praised his bowlers for keeping it under 140. Assad Vala, ever positive, said, “We fought hard and got key wickets. Another 10-15 runs, and who knows? It’s a learning curve.” PNG coach Phil Simmons, facing his old team, beamed with pride: “The boys showed heart.”
Fans on social media went wild—hashtags like #PNGSpirit and #WIEdge trended. It was a reminder that T20 cricket levels the playing field.
Why This Match Matters: Cricket’s Global Magic
This game wasn’t just about the scorecard; it highlighted cricket’s growth. PNG, from a nation where rugby rules, is inspiring kids back home. West Indies, with their Calypso flair, reminded us why they’re legends. In a World Cup co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, matches like this draw new fans.
Looking ahead, West Indies topped Group C and advanced, while PNG exited after close games against Uganda and New Zealand. But this upset tease? It could spark PNG’s next generation.
Wrapping Up: A Game for the Ages
What a ride! The Papua New Guinea National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Match Scorecard tells a story of resilience and redemption. From Bau’s fifty to Chase’s fireworks, it had everything. If you missed it, watch highlights—it’s cricket at its purest. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious, moments like these make the sport timeless.
