The Tokyo Falcons completed an incredible season in the Japan Cricket League (JCL) Division One by maintaining an 100% record throughout the season to lift the trophy for the first time. 

After winning all ten league matches, the Falcons first overpowered Kawasaki Knight Riders in the Semi Final to set up a Grand Final against three-time champions MAX CC, making their first Final appearance since 2019.

Batting first the Falcons were indebted to a 127-run partnership between Abhishek Anand (97 from 100 balls) and Vinoth Kumar (69 from 81) who set up an imposing total of 225 all out as Basit Saeed and Prabath Sankalpa took three wickets each. 

Veteran Kuldeep Bisht turned destroyer in the second innings, taking five for 33 from his eight overs as they dismissed MAX for 190 to earn a 35-run win.

Anand, with 564 runs, was comfortably the leading run scorer in the top division this year while Bisht overhauled Sabaorish Ravichandran to finish as the leading wicket-taker with 19 from nine matches. 

It was a different story in Division Two as the Tigers 2nd XI prevented Tokyo Titans finishing the season unbeaten by winning their fifth title in ten years and second in succession. 

The Titans, who came into the Grand Final with nine wins and a no-result, were bowled out for just 71 and the Tigers passed their score in the 21st over to win by four wickets. 

In Division Three the Tokyo Sereknights ended the Falcons 3rd XI unbeaten season with a win by 93-runs while the inaugural Division Four title was lifted by the Titans 2nd XI to give them a maiden JCL trophy. They edged home against the Men in Blue 4th XI to win the title by one wicket. 

Congratulations to all teams and all the players who made the 2024 Japan Cricket League Season such a memorable one. We look forward to celebrating with everyone at the 2024 Annual Awards on December 7th.