Former New Zealand Super Star Ross Taylor was clean bowled by Makoto Taniyama as Japan eased to a five-wicket win in the first warm up match prior to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier.

In a game where the rules were relaxed enabling all 15 players to play some part, captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming won the toss and opted to bowl first under the lights.

The Samoan batting was as aggressive as expected, striking nine sixes on their way to a total of 159 for five from their 20 overs, Ben Mailata top scoring with 37 from 27 balls after Darius Visser made a fast start with 36 from 27.

Charlie Hara-Hinze was the pick of 10 bowlers used by Japan, conceding just five runs from his two overs while also dismissing Visser and the dangerous Dan Burgess.

It was a moment of pure joy in the 16th over when Taniyama, who moved level with Masaomi Kobayashi for the most appearances for Japan on the night (67), got the better of Taylor on his international return as he attempted a trademark slog-sweep.

Japan made a steady start in the chase as Kadowaki-Fleming (20 off 21) and Abhishek Anand (25 off 16) put on 50 for the first wicket, but both fell in quick succession before a partnership of 68 from 42 balls between Esam Rahman and Benjamin Ito-Davis (28 from 20) settled things down.

Rahman, making his first international appearance for Japan, struck a huge six to win the game with nine balls to spare, bringing up an excellent half century, from just 31 balls, in the process.

Japan take on UAE in a second warm up match on Sunday.

The full match schedule is as follows: 

Warm Up Matches:

• 3rd October (Friday) 19:00 Japan vs Samoa (Japan won by 5 wickets)
• 5th October (Saturday) 14:30 Japan vs UAE 

Tournament Matches:

• 9th October (Thursday) 14:30 Japan vs Kuwait 
• 10th October (Friday) 14:30 Japan vs Nepal 

*Oman is 5 hours behind Japan

Other Groups:

• Group A : UAE, Malaysia, Qatar
• Group C : Oman, PNG, Samoa

All tournament matches can be watched live on ICC.tv while matches can also be followed live on the JCA App. 

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