It has come as a shocker to everyone involved in the ongoing ICC U19 World Cup EAP Division 1 qualifiers in Sano, Japan, as the host’s secure a first time entry into a major ICC tournament by qualifying for 2020 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
This development has come on the count of Papua New Guinea withdrawing their Garamuts team from playing the final group match against Japan, based on violation of PNG’s code of conduct and thereby resulting in suspension of the team due to ineligibility. Cricket PNG have publicly announced the development and have confirmed that they will provide more details upon arrival at Port Moresby from Sano.
Cricket PNG issued the following official statement on their social media channels:
“It is with regret that we must inform all of our supporters that the CPNG national under 19 team has been withdrawn from the final game of the ICC EAP under 19 World Cup Qualifiers. This is due to a number of players being suspended for internal disciplinary reasons and failing to adhere to our strict codes of conduct.
We will address this issue further on return to Port Moresby and will not field any questions until that time. We want to thank the ICC, The city of Sano and our hosts Japan Cricket Association for putting on an outstanding tournament and wish Japan well in the World Cup as deserving representatives of the EAP.”
ICC East Asia-Pacific Development officer Jane Livesey confirmed in an official statement that PNG suspended 11 players from their squad of 14, and hence were not able to field an eligible team on the field for the final group match.
Japan U19, thus finish as the winners of the EAP Division 1 qualifiers as the unbeaten team in the competition. Vanuatu U19 and Samoa U19 are competing in their final group match to determine the 3rd/4th standings in the points table.
