Match 12 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifiers Samoa Women face Papua New Guinea Women in what promises to be a compelling contest. Historically, Papua New Guinea has dominated this fixture, winning their only previous encounter decisively. Papua New Guinea enters the match in strong form and with a higher T20 ranking, while Samoa will be aiming to bounce back and turn their fortunes around in this qualifier.
The venue, Albert Park 2, in Suva offers balanced conditions that can favor both batters and bowlers, making pitch management and tactical bowling crucial. Expected clear weather will provide optimum conditions for play, allowing both teams to execute their game plans fully. Managing the middle overs efficiently and acceleration in the powerplay will be key for both sides as they look to take control of the match early on.
Key players to watch include Papua New Guinea’s top run scorer Taalili Iosefo, known for her consistent batting, along with key wicket-taker Olive Lefaga, who has proven instrumental in their successes. Samoa will look to players like Henao Thomas, who has contributed crucial runs, and will rely on their bowlers to contain a formidable PNG batting unit. This match is important for both teams’ chances to advance, adding to the competitive edge of this East Asia Pacific Qualifier encounter.
Squads:
Papua New Guinea
Konio Oala, Lakshmi Rajadurai, Melanie Ani, Naoani Vare, Henao Thomas, Hollan Doriga, Pauke Siaka, Brenda Tau, Dika Lohia, Erani Pokana, Geua Tom, Hane Tau, Isabel Toua, Mairi Tom
Samoa Women
Kolotita Nonu, Leitu Leong, Regina Lili’i, Carol Agafili, Faaiuga Pouta, Taalili Iosefo, Angel Sootaga, Leutu Mataafa, Ailaoa Aoina, Avetia Mapu, Jane Manase, Norah Salima, Olive Lefaga, Tuaoloa Semau
Players to watch out for:
Kolotita Nonu
Kolotita Nonu plays for the Samoa women’s cricket team as a right-arm medium pace bowler and right-handed batter. In T20 Internationals, she has played 27 matches, scoring 200 runs with a batting average of about 12.50, including a top unbeaten score of 57* against Fiji. Her strike rate is notable at 56.50. With the ball, she has taken 3 wickets at a bowling average of 26.33, and an economy rate of 8.78, with best figures of 2/10. She also fields well with 4 catches in T20Is. Nonu plays an important all-round role for Samoa in regional women’s T20 cricket tournaments
Carol Agafili
Carol Agafili is a right-handed batter and right-arm medium pace bowler for the Samoa women’s cricket team. In T20 Internationals, she has played 7 matches, scored 84 runs at an average of 10.50, with a highest score of 26. She has taken 4 wickets with best bowling figures of 2/15 and a bowling average of 23.50. As an all-around player for Samoa, Agafili makes valuable contributions with the bat and the ball
Naoani Vare
Naoani Vare is a right-handed batting all-rounder from Papua New Guinea. She has played 57 WT20I matches, scoring 961 runs at an average of 25.28 with a top score of 88 not out. Vare has hit 4 half-centuries and maintains a strike rate of about 86.03. As a bowler, she has taken 1 wicket in T20Is with an economy rate of 8.00. She is primarily known for her batting contributions to the team.
Konio Oala
Konio Hera Oala is a Papua New Guinea women’s cricketer known as a right-handed batter and right-arm offbreak bowler. In T20 Internationals, she has played 5 matches, scoring 244 runs at an average of 61, with a top score of 130*. With the ball, she has taken 3 wickets at a bowling average of 21 and an economy rate of 5.25, with best bowling figures of 2/15. Oala is a valuable all-rounder for PNG, contributing with both bat and ball in key regional tournaments
Pitch Report:
The pitch at Albert Park 2 in Suva, Fiji, is generally neutral, with some help for pacers. It offers consistent bounce and a fair balance between bat and ball. The weather often includes cloudy conditions with around 23°C temperature and high humidity, which can favor bowlers, especially seamers. There is also a high chance of rain, which can make conditions tricky. Overall, matches here tend to be evenly contested without extreme bias toward batting or bowling
Weather Report:
The weather forecast for tomorrow in Suva, Fiji is mostly overcast with a few passing showers. Temperatures will range around 80°F during the day, feeling like 75°F. Winds will come from the east-southeast at about 11-12 mph, with humidity around 60-65%. There is a low chance of rain, around 3-5%, mostly as light passing showers. The overall conditions look mild with cloud cover and a slight breeze
Fantasy XI Predictions:
Konio Oala, Naoani Vare, Henao Thomas, Hollan Doriga, Brenda Tau, Isabel Toua, Kolotita Nonu, Leitu Leong, Regina Lili’i, Carol Agafili, Angel Sootaga
Match Details:
Date: 12th September, 2025
Time: 7 AM
Venue: Alberta Park 2, Suva, Fiji
Broadcast: The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.