Nalin Nipiko succeeds Andrew Mansale as Vanuatu captain

Mansale, who led his team in 14 T20Is, stepped down from the captaincy role last week; however, the all-rounder intends to keep playing international cricket. The 31-year-old reflected on his tenure as Vanuatu's captain and felt it was the right time to hand over the responsibility to a youngster.

"It was an honour to be able to captain the Vanuatu National Men’s Cricket team for as long as I did and I feel that I have had a good run but I also feel that it is time to hand over the captaincy to one of the younger guys with fresh ideas and with the capacity to continue taking Vanuatu Cricket forward," Mansale said in a statement on Vanuatu's official Facebook page last Friday.

"I will miss making decisions in the field, naming the team, coffee, and discussions with coaches and most of all leading the team as the captain but I know it is the right decision and the future is bright for the team. Thank you."

Mark Stafford, the president of the VCA, also congratulated Mansale: "The VCA wishes to acknowledge the wonderful contribution that Andrew Mansale has made to the Vanuatu National Cricket Team. Andrew has been one of the longest-serving captains in the global cricket world and he has served with honour and distinction.

The new appointee Nipiko, 24, has so far made 14 T20I appearances for his team, and has 312 runs and 24 wickets to his name. Earlier this year in July, he returned his career-best figures of 5/19 against Papua New Guinea.

Vanuatu recently participated in the ICC CWC Challenge League Group A, and although they finished last in the tournament, they pulled off a surprise win against Malaysia, bowling them out for 52 after setting up a paltry 66-run target. In the same tournament, Nipiko top-scored in a match with a 96-ball 77 against Singapore, his best List A score.