In a rain-shortened 5-overs-a-side contest at the Sano International Cricket Ground, India hung on for a close 2-run victory over a valiant Japan team.
India’s top order failed to gain momentum in the short 5-over encounter. Both Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan were eliminated early as Japan’s rigid lines prompted risky strokes. Captain Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 16 from 12 deliveries, hitting the boundary once to push the team above 30 before falling in the last over. Sanju Samson (9) scored a few runs too, but India concluded at 32/4, one of their lowest 5-over batting totals, owing to trouble adapting to the sticky Sano pitch.
Japan remained composed in the presence of a world-class Indian international attack, chasing 33 in 30 balls. Skipper Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming led from the start with a stroke-filled 12 off 12 balls, including a boundary, before falling to Washington Sundar. Benjamin Ito-Davis (9) and Alexander Shirai-Patmore (2) extended the chase into the final over, narrowing the equation to 8 runs off 6 balls against Axar Patel. Despite bringing the match to the final delivery, Japan fell just two runs short at 30/3, garnering high acclaim for pushing India to their limits in reduced-overs circumstances.
Defending a tiny goal of 32, India’s bowling team leaned largely on experience to accomplish the job. Washington Sundar ended the important partnership by removing Kadowaki-Fleming, ending with 2/13 in his two overs. Axar Patel faced the challenge of defending 8 runs in the last over; although delivering a late wide under intense pressure, his precise stump-to-stump line on the final ball kept Shirai-Patmore at a standstill, finishing with stats of 0/7 in 2 overs to secure the 2-run victory.
Japan’s bowling squad quickly adapted to the 5-over sprint, providing a disciplined effort on home ground. Medium-pacer Charles Hinze set the tone by dismissing opener Abhishek for a duck in the first over, and he concluded with figures of 2/17. Off-spinner Ibrahim Takahashi kept tight control, giving away 13 runs and dismissing Samson. Benjamin Ito-Davis bowled the cleanest spell of the encounter, taking up 1/2 in his first over and creating pressure that held India to a run rate of 6.50.
With this win, India have clinched the Suzuki Cup.
Scorecard:
India: 32/4, Overs 5, Shreyas Iyer 16, Charlie Hara-Hinze 2/17
Japan: 30/3, Overs 5, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming 12, Washington Sundar 2/13
