Vala one of five in team

BARRAMUNDIS premier batsman Assad Vala is one of five Papua New Guineans selected in the 2013 East Asia-Pacific T20 championship team.
The others are wicketkeeper Jack Vare, who is also the team’s vice-captain, all-rounder Charles Amini Jr, paceman Willie Gavera and batsman Chris Kent.
Vala has had a stellar season the highlight of which was his recognition by Queensland state cricket when picked in the state’s country T20 side while also being added to the Queensland Bulls T20 squad last year.
Vala’s was in fine form at the EAP T20 championship in Auckland last week which saw PNG defend its title against six other regional teams including Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Indonesia and Japan.
Vala scored a tournament high 157 not out against Indonesia in the pool stage while amassing 291 runs at an average of 97.
Amini, 19, is a bolter getting the nod ahead of PNG teammates Tony Ura and Jason Kila.
Vanuatu’s Andrew Mansale was given the honour of being named captain of the team of the tournament.
The 2013 Pepsi ICC East Asia-Pacific men’s championship team of the tournament: Jack Vare, Assad Vala, Chris Kent, Willie Gavera, Charles Amini (PNG), Ben Mailata (Samoa), Andrew Mansale, Trevor Langa, Jonathon Dunn, Patrick Matautaava (Vanuatu), Tukana Tavo, Sekove Ravoka (Fiji).