"You can't have an EAP qualifier because Papua New Guinea get a free pass".

Such was the prevailing wisdom when the ICC announced that the East Asia Pacific region would not get an automatic spot in the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup with the region instead being merged in with the stronger Asian region. This conveniently ignored the fact that this hadn't been true at Under-19 level for over a decade and the recent improvements from Japan, Vanuatu and Samoa.

And sure enough at the ongoing Asia/EAP qualifier in Oman, two of the three EAP participants progressed to the second stage of the tournament, and Papua New Guinea were not one of them.

Instead Samoa - featuring former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor, playing for the nation of his mother's birth - and Japan have progressed along with hosts Oman, Nepal, Qatar and the UAE.

The decline of the former top dogs in the region was underscored by their second day loss against Samoa, with Sean Solia - who plays for Auckland domestically in New Zealand - scoring 62 in a six wicket win. Japan progressed thanks to their win over Kuwait on the same day.

Sean Solia during his match winning innings against Papua New Guinea (Samoa Cricket Association)

Both teams will start on the backfoot in the Super Six stage though, as their only win came against an eliminated team meaning they carried forward no points. The two EAP sides play each other later today in the first round of Super Six matches.

Papua New Guinea meanwhile head back home to rebuild knowing that they are no longer assured of being the best team in the region.