Two-time champions West Indies will take on second-time qualifiers Papua New Guinea in the second match of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Get our latest expert WI vs PNG match betting tips, predictions and picks below.
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WI vs PNG Match Information
- Venue: Providence Stadium, Guyana
- Date: Sunday, June 2
- Time: 10.30 am local (2.30 pm GMT, 8 pm IST)
- How to Buy West Indies vs Papua New Guinea Tickets? Get all the information here.
What Have The Two Teams Done So Far?
West Indies have made a name for themselves in this format, having won the title twice – in 2012 and 2016. In 2021, West Indies finished fifth in a group of six teams in the Super 12 stage, losing all but one of their games.
This was followed by the team getting knocked out in the first round of the 2022 edition, losing to Scotland and Ireland in the process.
In fact given their failure to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup makes this an even more vital format for them and given they are playing at home and their firepower, they could be one of the underdogs to watch out for.
Papua New Guinea have played at this stage just one before when they qualified for the first round of this tournament in the 2021 edition. They played Bangladesh, Scotland and Oman in that tournament and lost all those games.
They qualified for this year’s T20 World Cup with six wins from as many games in the East Asia Pacific Qualifier held in their own country, defeating Japan, Vanuatu and Philippines in the process.
Quick WI vs PNG Preview
West Indies are one of the most successful teams in T20 World Cup cricket but what’s fascinating to see is that their overall record in this format isn’t much to write home about.
Of 195 matches they have played, West Indies have won just 83, placing them way down the ladder among full member nations.
The good news for the hosts West Indies is that since the 2022 T20 World Cup in which they had fared miserably, they have won 12 of the 19 T20Is they have played.
This includes a series win over India, South Africa (both home and away), England and a 1-2 defeat in Australia.
In Rovman Powell, West Indies look like they have a captain who can rally around the forces the way Darren Sammy did which could mean a turnaround in their fortunes.
They also have the batting to blast their opposition out, especially given their inexperience but all eyes will be on their bowling which isn’t quite their strongest suit.
Against the the Assad Vala-led Papua New Guinea though, that might not be tested too much.
PNG played their first T20I in 2015 and since then have been knocking on the doors of a regular appearance at this level. They qualified for the 2021 edition but were knocked out of the semifinal of the Global Qualifier before the 2022 one.
Their captain Vala and keeper-opener Tony Ura are their best batters with the latter specially having the capability to turn it on in the Powerplay.
Norman Vanua will lead their bowling charge but West Indies will do well to not discount his batting as well. Leg-spinner Charles Amini will be another bowler to watch out.
WI vs PNG Head-to-Head Stats
- Overall WI vs PNG Head-to-head: These two teams have never faced off before in a T20I but rather interestingly, they had played each other in an ODI in 2018 in Harare.
- West Indies had won that match by six wickets with 42 balls remaining thanks to a Jason Holder 99 not-out.
Possible Playing XIs
West Indies
Johnson Charles, Shai Hope, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Akeal Hossein.
Papua New Guinea
Tony Ura, Sese Bau, Assad Vala, Lega Siaka, Hiri Hiri, Hila Vare, Chad Soper, Kiplin Doriga, Alei Nao, Kabua Morea, Semo Kamea.
Get all the T20 World Cup squads here.
West Indies vs Papua New Guinea Predictions with Latest Odds*
West Indies vs Papua New Guinea Match Winner
West Indies to win: 1/33 (sign up with 1xbet)
West Indies vs Papua New Guinea Top Batsman
- Top WI Batsman – Nicholas Pooran: 7/2 (sign up with 1xbet)
- Top PNG Batsman – Tony Ura: 7/2 (sign up with 1xbet)
West Indies vs Papua New Guinea Top Bowler
- Top WI Bowler – Akeal Hossein: 4/1 (sign up with 1xbet)
- Top PNG Bowler – Charles Amini: 5/1 (sign up with 1xbet)
West Indies vs Papua New Guinea Toss Prediction
PNG to win the toss: 10/11
West Indies vs Papua New Guinea Score Prediction
Total Match Runs – Over 297.5: 5/6
*odds correct at the time of writing.
Photo Credit: Dominic Sayers from London, England – 20040322 Tobago 107