India survive major upset scare to beat Japan by 2 runs

Tokyo: World champions India narrowly survived a major upset on Tuesday, edging a spirited Japan side by just two runs in a rain-curtailed, first-ever T20 international between the two nations.

The landmark fixture, organised to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations, took place at the modest Sano International Cricket Ground.

The encounter marked Japan's first T20 fixture against a full-member cricket nation.

India, who retained their T20 World Cup title on home soil earlier this year, elected to bat first following a delay caused by rain and a wet outfield, which reduced the contest to five overs per side.

The Indian team found scoring difficult on a sluggish pitch, finishing on 32-4.

Japan, ranked 41st by the International Cricket Council (ICC), pushed their far more prominent opponents to the wire as they threatened an extraordinary result.

The host nation remained in contention until the final delivery, eventually finishing on 30-3 to fall agonisingly short of the target.

Japan's 17-year-old spinner Charlie Hara-Hinze produced a standout performance, taking 2-17 across his two overs after opening the bowling attack and dismissing opener Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck.

Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming sought to steer the run chase with a run-a-ball 12, but India's experienced slow bowlers ultimately spared the global heavyweights from a shock defeat.

Preparations for what was anticipated to be a one-sided match were disrupted by Typhoon Dujuan, with persistent downpours in Sano causing training sessions to be called off on Monday.

The venue, which accommodates around 2,000 spectators and regularly hosts baseball, was heavily attended by Indian supporters who had anticipated a comfortable victory.

Japan will return to action on Thursday, facing Afghanistan in the opening match of the men's T20 cricket tournament at the Asian Games at Korogi Sports Park, another converted baseball facility.

AFP