Japan national team has started the Asian games 2023 qualifier round in strong fashion by winning the first game against Cambodia today at Zhejiang University of Technology Cricket Field.
Cambodia won the toss and elected to bat first. Cambodia top order had shaky start as Ram Sharan and Uday Hathinjar departing cheaply. A useful contribution by Lakshit Gupta 24(33) , Lugman Butt 17(12) and later at the end, Sharwan Godara 33(23) helped Cambodia to set a target of 126 runs.
From Japan bowling unit, Ryan Drake bagged 3 wickets, well assisted by Ibrahim Takahashi, Kohei Kubota and Declan Suzuki with one wicket each. A total of 13 wides and overall 16 extras helped Cambodia total as well.
Japan Batting unit had a good start with opening pair of Lachalan Yamamoto-Lake 32(26) and Shirai-Patmore 23(26) putting on 50 run partnership in first 7 overs. At 2/77, team had a small collapse to reduce to 4/78. Ibrahim Takahashi and Wataru Miyauchi could not get going to close the game for the team. Useful contribution from Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Declan Suzuki 12(8) Tsuyoshi Takada and Makoto Taniyama ensure team chased down total in 18.1 overs with 3 wicket to spare.
Japan team will have its biggest game on October 1st when it faces Honkong national Cricket team. An upset over Hongkong will be the biggest win for Japan over an associate nation. Top team from each group will qualify for the quarterfinal game in Asian games 2023.
Nepal vs Mongolia
While at the other Venue, Nepal broke few records in T20 Cricket by registering win by a margin of 273runs over Mongolia. Kushal Malla scored 100 in only 34 balls. He scored 137runs(50) 8×4, 12 sixes. Nepal at point of time were 2/66 at the 7.2 overs. Nepal went berserk when Diepndra Singh Airee arrived at the wicket in 18th over. He took only 9 balls to score 50. The last 11 deliveries produced 53 runs. which had 8 sixes.
Diepndra Singh Airee faced 10 balls (6,6,6,6,6,2,6,6,6,2) . No dot balls.
Mungun Altankhuyag was at the receiving end in 19th over when Diependra Singh Airee hit 5 sixes in a row.
This is the fastest 50 in all T20s internationals. The previous record was in 12 balls held by Yuvraj singh and Chris Gayle and Hazratullah Zazai of Afghanistan.
At the end of 20 overs, Nepal posted 314 runs. The highest total ever in T20 international Cricket.
Mongolia batting unit had tough day. Here is interesting summup of their batting.
- 5 batters: could not open their account and
- 3 batters:1 run each.
- 1 batter: 2 run
- 1 batter: 3 run
- 1 batter: 10 run
Nepal gave away 23 extras more than the total score of Mongolia batting unit. Mongolia were all out on 41 runs in 13.1 overs. This loss is tough as they have no time regroup. Mongolia will play back to back game on 28th Sept against Maldives.
Asian Games 2023 Cricket Matches schedule
- Sept 28: Malaysia vs Singapore
- Sept 28: Maldives vs Mongolia
- Sept 29: Cambodia vs Hongkong
- Sept 29: Singapore vs Thailand
- Oct 1: Maldives vs Nepal
- Oct 1: Hongkong vs Japan
Internal links : Sano International Cricket ground
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