Kiplin Doriga, a wicketkeeper-batsman from Papua New Guinea, has been formally charged with robbery following a September 2025 incident that occurred in St. Helier, Jersey, as part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League.  Doriga, 29, was arrested in the wee hours of August 25, 2025, and consequently made an appearance in court before a magistrate on August 27. 

Doriga pleaded guilty, but the court indicated the level of alleged crime was too serious for the magistrate to deal with, and therefore, the matter has been referred to a royal court, where there will be another scheduled hearing on November 28, 2025. Das not bail nor am I in custody until an off-form of November hearing is at hand. 

Doriga is a senior member of PNG cricket and has represented the country in the 2021 T20 World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup. He has also played 39 ODIs and 43 T20Is for PNG and amassed over 1,000 runs (2589) in international matches. While his recent arrest has thrown a spanner into PNG's readiness to face Canada and pertaining to the contest in Jersey, Cricket PNG has indicated the situation is an individual incident, and the team is independent of his circumstance, in regard to the completion and participation once the tournament is confirmed to generate funds for families.

Papua New Guinea’s Challenge League Performance

Papua New Guinea had a mixed overall performance in the CWC Challenge League. They played a total of nine matches during their two phases of the tournament and came away with four wins, four losses, and one no result. They finish the first phase with nine points and a net run rate of -0.131

ALSO SEE: India set for asia cup 2025 without jersey sponsor as BCCI plans ahead

PNG got off to a good start in the September-October 2024 leg of the tournament, winning matches against Denmark, Qatar, Kuwait, and Kenya. They were on song with bat and ball, and expectations were high for a good finish. However, the 2025 phase in Jersey proved tricky for PNG, as they lost to Denmark, Kuwait, and Jersey, the last being a heavy defeat by 160 runs, and rain washed out their encounter with Kenya.

Despite the inconsistencies of the side, there were some outstanding individual achievements. Captain Assad Vala led all comers with the bat with 213 runs at 35.50, which included an innings of 129 not out. Seam bowler Kabua Morea was also outstanding, taking 23 wickets at 16.08. Underlined his worth to the side as PNG’s go-to bowler.

Tournament Context

The Challenge League forms an important part of the ICC’s pathway for associate nations with a goal to qualify for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. PNG still remains in the qualification picture but will need to be more consistent in the final phase in Qatar next year.