Sport: Hong Kong an 'unbelievable experience' for PNG captain

11:59 am on 14 March 2017

Papua New Guinea cricket captain Assad Vala says he loved every bit of playing alongside some of the sport's biggest stars in the Hong Kong T20 Blitz.

The 29 year old featured in all four round robin games for the Galaxy Gladiators Lantau, playing alongside the likes of Kumar Sangakkara and Jesse Ryder, in a team mentored by West Indian great Brian Lara.

Assad Vala playing for the Galaxy Gladiatators Lantau.

Assad Vala playing for the Galaxy Gladiatators Lantau. Photo: Cricket Hong Kong/Takumi Photography

Vala proved more than useful with the ball, nabbing four wickets at just over eight runs per over, but could only muster a total of nine runs in three innings with the bat.

Galaxy Gladiators only managed one win from their four matches and missed out on a place in the final.

Assad Vala playing for the Galaxy Gladiatators Lantau.

Assad Vala playing for the Galaxy Gladiatators Lantau. Photo: Cricket Hong Kong/Takumi Photography

But Barramundis skipper Vala told Cricket PNG it was still a great experience.

"I never thought that I'd be in the same dressing room with (Brian) Lara, Kumar (Sangakarra), (Jesse) Ryder as well as play against some international stars such as Misbah (ul-Haq), (Saeed) Ajmal, (Samuel) Badree, (Chis) Jordan, (Darren (Sammy), (Marlon) Samuels and (Dwayne) Smith," said Vala.

"I loved every bit of it and being around them and learning from them was an unbeliable experience.

"They were great in helping me if I was asking or wanted to know something about the game. They gave some great advice that hopefully I can use to help my game going forward," he said.

Assad Vala's involvement marks the first time a PNG cricketer has been selected in a global professional cricket competition in the world.