Gateway to England: PNG Lewas touch down in Nepal for T20 World Cup Qualifier

The Papua New Guinea Lewas have officially landed in Nepal to start of a high-stakes mission to secure a spot at the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales.

The squad arrived on Sunday, January 12, giving the national team a crucial 48-hour window to acclimate to Kathmandu’s conditions before the tournament officially commences on January 14.

The Global Qualifier is the final, grueling frontier for the world’s leading Associate nations. Hosted across the TU Cricket Ground and Upper Hulpani Cricket Ground, the tournament will determine which teams join the elite in the UK this summer.

Cricket PNG officials expressed strong confidence in the squad’s readiness, saying that the early arrival is a strategic move to ensure the players are fully recovered and "match-ready" for their opening clash.

The Lewas face a demanding Group Stage schedule, headlined by a massive opening test against Ireland and a clash with Bangladesh, two teams with significant top-tier international experience.

PNG Lewas then take on Namibia and USA in the final group encounters on Jan 24 and 26 respectively.

The Lewas have seen a steady rise in the international rankings, but this qualifier represents their most critical pathway yet. Success in Nepal would not only make history for women’s cricket in PNG but would also cement the Lewas as a powerhouse in the East Asia-Pacific region.

With training sessions scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, the focus now shifts to on-ground strategy and local pitch conditions.

PNG Lewas – Key Fixtures (Group Stage)
•Sunday, 18 January: Ireland vs PNG
•Tuesday, 20 January: PNG vs Bangladesh
•Saturday, 24 January: PNG vs Namibia
•Monday, 26 January: USA vs PNG