The Women’s Japan National Team made the perfect start to their first ever Asia Cricket Council tournament by beating Oman by 14 runs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Batting first, captain Mai Yanagida compiled the highest ever score in a Women’s T20 International for Japan, in her 70th match, making 64* out of a total of 130 for for four.

She was partnered most of the way by Hinase Goto who played a breakout innings, scoring 44 from 45 balls in a partnership of 91 from 76 balls.

After her departure it was left to the captain to continue the effort to set a competitive total, and her four boundaries and a big six over square leg, was enough to put Japan out of reach.

Ahilya Chandel struck in the first over of Oman’s attempted chase, but Nitya Joshi made the game interesting with her 43 from 53 balls.

Through the middle overs it was the bowling efforts of Shimako Kato (two for 25) and Erika Toguchi-Quinn who conceded just 25 runs from their combined eight overs which left the Omani batters with too much to do in the final stage of the game.

Chandel returned to see out the match as Oman finished 116 for five to earn Japan a win over a team ranked seven places above them.

Speaking after the match Japan Head Coach Ardene Ruhode said: “I am so pleased for the team, but especially Hinase and Mai. They both work really hard and always want to improve. As the captain and senior player it really helps Mai to do well early in the tournament, while for Hinase this justifies the faith we have in her a someone who can score runs for Japan.”

The team will play again tomorrow, as they take on China at 14:30, who lost heavily to one of the tournament favourites UAE, in the first round.

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