PNG's Vala moves closer to Heat contract

In a first for Cricket PNG, PNG Barramundi's stylish and explosive left-handed opener Assad Vala has been selected in the Queensland (Country) Infernos that will be participating in the Queensland "Baby" T20 Big Bash to be held over the next 2 months.

The competition will see the Infernos play against three other Brisbane teams which include the Flames, Burners and the Blaze.

All teams will have several Queensland Bulls players in each of the teams where the players will battle it out for a Brisbane Heat contract.

Vala was one of the 8 players named from the recently completed Queensland Rail Bulls Masters T20 Country Cricket Challenge in Bundaberg and Mackay. His inclusion comes as no surprise after he turned in a sterling performance over the 2-day tournament in Bundaberg.

Vala's impressive run saw him score over 150 runs in the four matches played with a strike rate at well over 120.

He has had a great run for the Hebou Barramundi's over the last 18 months where he has been the feature of a number of explosive starts for the PNG Hebou Barramundi's.

"This is great news for Cricket PNG. The Queensland selectors have obviously been impressed with the way Assad has played and has rewarded him with a spot with the Infernos. Assad has been playing extremely well over the last 18 months and I'm so proud and excited for him. He thoroughly deservers this spot," said an elated Greg Campbell. "This is a start of great things to come for Cricket in PNG. This opens up doors for the others to try and get into now. He's worked very hard and this is his reward. He's still got one more step to go and I'm confident he'll do well. Everyone here at Cricket PNG wish him all the best for the three games. He's got great guys around him like James Hopes and Nathan Hauritz to guide him and give him advice."

Vala's selection sees him move one step closer in securing a contract to play with the Brisbane Heat in the upcoming KFC T20 Big Bash League 2. Vala will play alongside the 7 other Qld country players that were selected as well as Queensland Bulls captain, James Hopes, former Australian Test spinner, Nathan Hauritz, Luke Feldman and Wade Townsend in the Queensland Country Infernos.