The squad is the same group selected for Japan’s Asian Games campaign in Nagoya. Photo: AFP
Japan have named their squad for a historic men’s Twenty20 international against India, the reigning ICC T20 World Cup champions and world’s top-ranked side, on September 22 at Sano International Cricket Ground.
The squad is the same group selected for Japan’s Asian Games campaign in Nagoya, which begins two days after the India match.
Japan’s all-time leading T20I run-scorer Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming will captain the side, with Ibrahim Takahashi and Declan Suzuki-McComb the only other players in the squad with more than 50 T20I appearances.
As part of their Asian Games preparations, Japan have left out players who are eligible for T20Is under ICC regulations but do not meet Asian Games eligibility requirements.
That has opened the door for emerging spin-bowling all-rounder Jake Kusuda-Nairn after his impressive domestic performances, while Tsuyoshi Takada returns to the squad after making his Japan debut at the ICC East Asia-Pacific Twenty20 Championship in 2013.
The squad also includes Wataru Miyauchi and Makoto Taniyama, both alumni of Japanese schools with cricket Bukatsu programmes.
Taniyama, a leg-spinner who modelled his action after watching videos of Australian great Shane Warne on YouTube, wears the number 23 shirt in his honour. He is also Japan’s leading wicket-taker across pathway and international competitions.
Squad: Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (c), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Alester Kadowaki-Fleming, Kohei Kubota, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Wataru Miyauchi (wk), Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Alex Shirai-Patmore (wk), Shoma Sugaya-Slater, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Tsuyoshi Takada, Ibrahim Takahashi, Makoto Taniyama, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake
Charlie Hara-Hinze, who was part of Japan’s Under-19 World Cup side that defeated Tanzania, is also included.
Spinner Benjamin Ito-Davis returns after a hand injury cut short his campaign in the East-Asia Pacific T20 World Cup 2028 Sub-Regional Qualifier.
Japan finished second in that tournament and remain in contention for qualification for the 2028 T20 World Cup. They finished level on points with Papua New Guinea but were edged on net run rate despite defeating the Barramundis on the final day.
The India fixture will launch “Sport 75”, an initiative stemming from an agreement reached at a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries through sport.
Japan will also play two T20Is against Hong Kong on September 19 and 20 before the Asian Games.
At the Games, they face Afghanistan on September 24 and Nepal on September 26, with a top-two finish required to reach the quarter-finals.
