The Papua New Guinea Lewas have officially transitioned to the final stage of their World Cup journey, arriving in Nepal following a high-intensity preparation stint in Australia.
The national women’s cricket team is eyeing a historic milestone as they prepare to compete in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, running from 18th January to 1st February 2026.
The Lewas recently wrapped up a successful campaign at the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Adelaide. Finishing fifth overall, the team used the tournament as a high-performance laboratory to test tactics and build squad cohesion against elite opposition.
The tour was made possible through the PacificAus Sports partnership between the Australian Government and Cricket Australia, a program designed to bridge the gap between Pacific athletes and international competition.
Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Ewen McDonald, emphasized that the partnership transcends the scoreboard.
“Papua New Guinea and Australia share a strong connection through cricket, and the PNG Lewas continue to inspire both at home and across the Pacific region,” High Commissioner McDonald said.
“The Australian Government is proud to support women’s cricket in PNG through PacificAus Sports, helping provide opportunities for elite competition, professional development and international exposure as the talented team strives for T20 World Cup qualification.”
The Road to England 2026
The stakes in Nepal could not be higher. The Lewas are one of ten nations vying for just four available slots for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in England this June.
Cricket PNG Board Chairman, Michael Harrison, noted that the Australian leg of the journey was a vital stepping stone for the challenges ahead in Nepal.
“The Australian Country Championships provided exactly the level of competition we needed at this stage of preparation,” Harrison said.
“The learnings from Adelaide, combined with our transition into Nepal, place the Lewas in a strong position as they pursue a historic top-four finish and qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.”
Discipline and Depth
National selectors are confident that the rigorous schedule has hardened the squad for the pressures of a Global Qualifier. Hudson Leka, Chairman of the National Selection Panel, praised the team’s growth during their recent matches.
“Selection and preparation have focused on consistency, adaptability and the ability to perform under pressure,” Leka stated.
“The Australian tournament tested those qualities, and the team is now fully focused on delivering in Nepal.”
With enhanced high-performance planning and specialist coaching support backed by the Australian Government, the Lewas now stand on the precipice of securing their place on the world’s biggest stage.
PNG Lewas: Road to the World Cup Fact Sheet
The PNG Lewas enter this final qualifying phase in Nepal with significant momentum, currently ranked 13th in the world in T20 Internationals. Under the leadership of Captain Brenda Tau, the squad features a balanced mix of experience and rising talent, including key players like Pauke Siaka, Sibona Jimmy, and Henao Thomas.
The team earned their place in this Global Qualifier by dominating the East Asia-Pacific region, and they are now looking to secure one of the four available tickets to the main event in England and Wales this June.
The tournament in Nepal is hosted across two venues in Kathmandu: the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground and the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground. The Lewas have been placed in a challenging Group A alongside Ireland, Bangladesh, Namibia, and the USA.
Their campaign officially begins this Sunday, January 18, with a high-stakes opening match against Ireland, followed by a clash with Bangladesh on January 20. The group stage concludes with matches against Namibia on January 24 and the USA on January 26, after which the top teams will progress to the Super Six stage to determine the final World Cup qualifiers.
This campaign represents a critical milestone for Papua New Guinean cricket, supported by the ongoing PacificAus Sports partnership which provided the elite training environment in Adelaide. With only a top-four finish required to secure their first-ever T20 World Cup appearance, the Lewas are fully acclimated to the conditions in Kathmandu and prepared to make history for the Pacific region.
