The Chiba Sharks are Japan Cup champions for the first time after defeating the Kobe Hawks in a nail-biting Japan Cup Final on Sunday October 19th at the Sano International Cricket Ground.

The Sharks posted a modest 133/9 in the final and the Hawks looked to be on track for the win before Timothy Moore (3/13) changed the course of the match by taking three quick wickets. Despite Salman Ul Haq’s fighting 59 not out, Muneeb Siddique (3/20) was able to close out the final over, the Sharks prevailing by just two runs.

Earlier in the day in the first semi final the Sharks had booked their place in the final with a convincing win over the Tokyo Falcons, revenge for their defeat in the East Kanto final, Nikhil Pol top-scoring with 57.

In the second semi final the Kobe Hawks recorded a narrow win against Nagoya Bengal Tigers by seven runs, Umair Zulfiqar top scoring with 38.

In the Shield Final, Tigers, still the top-ranked team in the Japan Cup rankings, had a comfortable seven wicket win against North Kanto Division 2 champions Sano Bears, Ranjith Mouli controlling the run chase with an unbeaten 57.

The Plate final featured the top two teams from North Kanto, with the Sultans of Japan recording a four wicket win against local rivals Saitama United, Adnan Noor claiming a hatrick for the Sultans to finish the first innings.

This year a record 80 teams competed in the Japan Cup across seven regions and it is expected that more teams will enter next year.

Final Standings

• Japan Cup champions: Chiba Sharks
• Japan Cup runners up: Kobe Hawks
• 3rd place: Tokyo Falcons
• 4th place: Nagoya Bengal Tigers
• Shield winners (5th): Tigers
• 6th place: Sano Bears
• 7th place: Osaka Lions
• 8th place: Serendib Leos
• Plate winners (9th): Sultans of Japan
• 10th place: Saitama United
• 11th place: Sendai
• 12th place: Shizuoka United

Award Winners

• Japan Cup Finals MVP: Muhammad Safi (Sultans of Japan)
• Japan Cup Finals Best Batter: Muhammad Safi (Sultans of Japan)
• Japan Cup Finals Best Bowler: Basit Abbasi (Kobe Hawks)