The national side is pooled in Group 3 with Papua New Guinea and the Republic of Korea. Group 1 consists of Japan, Fiji and Vanuatu, while Samoa, the Philippines and Indonesia make up Group 2.

Cook Islands will play PNG this Saturday at 7pm (Cook Islands time) in their final group match. The national side must finish in the top two to advance to the next stage of the tournament.

The tournament will take place in two stages: a Group Stage from 8-10 May, followed by a Super Six Stage from 12-18 May (local times). Teams are split into three groups of three, and the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage. At the end of the Super Six, the top teams will earn their place in the next stage as they look to qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 in Australia and New Zealand.

Cook Islands Cricket Association president Grant Walker said he was pleased with the effort and preparation the team had put into this qualifier event.

National coach Ian West, assistant coach Tomakanute Ritawa and manager Rahul Patil are leading the team again alongside team physiotherapist Tali Wilson-Mundy, who returns to the programme after working with the women’s team in Fiji last year.

“We returned the core of our 2024 team who came very close to winning the last sub regional in Samoa. Unfortunately, a couple of players from that team were unavailable but thankfully we’ve been able to add several new players from both the Cook Islands and our diaspora in New Zealand,” Walker told Cook Islands News.

“As preparation and to integrate some new players, we held the first ever Kuki Airani Cup in January at Cornwall Cricket Club and recently played a Māori Invitational in April again at Cornwall. So while we would obviously like more time and games to prepare, we have done our very best to trial and select the most competitive side possible.”

According to Walker, the tournament in Japan is the largest to have been run by the ICC and involves nine teams split into three groups with the top two from each group advancing to a Super Six.

“The bottom three teams from those groups will continue to play a Tri series of internationals so all nine teams will be playing a minimum of six games weather permitting.” he explained.

“The ICC has not yet divulged the next pathway, so we cannot say at this point exactly what comes next but feel confident that we will play to win every game and hopefully finish in a position that is one step closer to the 2028 T20 World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand.”

Walker said that participating in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier was a “massive logistical effort by the ICC and Japan cricket for which we are thankful”.

“We have the support of 21 South Group, CIC Ltd., Ngā Kōmiri o Tiake Maori Health, Rose and Taoro Brown, and Onu Sportwear for which we are deeply grateful and could not succeed without.”

Cook Islands

Players: Aue Parima – Aitutaki+Mangaia, Thomas Parima – Aitutaki +Mangaia, Cory Dickson – Rarotonga, Jared Tutty – Mauke, Ma’ara Ave (C) – Mangaia, Oscar Taylor – Rarotonga, James Pickering (WK) – Rarotonga, Hayden Dickson (VC)- Rarotonga, Paul Cummings – Atiu, Teaute Ravarua – Pukapuka, Jeremiah Shields – Aitutaki, Luca Grace – Mangaia, Quin Stephens – Rarotonga, Adison Rowe – Penrhyn. Support Staff – Head Coach: Ian West, Assistant Coach: Tomakanute Ritawa, Physio: Tali Wilson Munday, Manager: Rahul Patil.