HEBOU PNG Barramundis’ Captain and batting star, Assad Vala made his debut for the Galaxy Gladiators Lantau in the opening match against Hung Hom JD Jaguars in the DTC Hong Kong T20 Blitz in Hong Kong today.
In shortened 11 over per side match due to morning showers, the Hung Hom JD Jaguars posted an impressive 3/145 off their allotted 11 overs at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.
International cricketing stars, James Franklin (58* off 27 balls) and Darren Sammy (52* off 19 balls) were the destroyers with the bat for the Hung Hom JD Jaguars putting on an unbeaten century partnership for the fourth wicket while Vala impressed with the ball taking 1/15 off two overs.
In reply, the Galaxy Gladiators only managed 8/118 off their 11 overs, with captain Anshuman Rath hitting 45 runs off just 24 balls. Unfortunately Vala, batting at number three was run out for a duck in a mix up with Rath while Ashley Caddy (3/17) and Imran Arif (3/18) both picked up three wickets apiece in the Hung Hom JD Jaguars’ 27-run victory.
Speaking to Cricket PNG after the match, Vala was disappointed with the result, but was excited at the upcoming matches.
“I was happy with my bowling performance taking 1/15 off my 2 overs with the scoring rate going at 13. It was a great experience bowling to those players (James Franklin and Darren Sammy) who were trying to hit every ball out of the park,” said Vala.
“It was unfortunate the way I got out today but that happens in cricket. The best thing about this game is that I have an opportunity tomorrow. He (Anshuman Rath) apologised after the match about the run-out but that is part of the game. I just have to put in a good performance tomorrow,” concluded Vala.
The Galaxy Gladiators Lantau take on City Kaitak in their Round 2 match tomorrow.
DTC Hong Kong T20 Blitz is a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament scheduled to hold its second edition from March 8-12 in 2017. The tournament has extended to a five-team competition from the inaugural four with the event held over five days at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Mong Kok. The Hong Kong T20 Blitz brings the world’s best short form players together with the premier local domestic cricket talent.
There is also a focus on developing Associate Cricket, with each team required to select at least one overseas player from a non-full member nation. A total of five overseas players per team will be permitted in the 2017 tournament, up from 3 in a playing XI in 2016.
This is the first time that any PNG cricketer has been selected in a professional cricket competition in the world. HEBOU PNG Barramundis’ players Assad Vala (Brisbane Heat), Charles Amini Jnr (Sydney Sixers) and Lega Siaka (Melbourne Renegades) all received Cricket Australia’s Big Bash League Rookie Contracts in the past but never actually played a game.