The Men’s Japan National Team put on a monumental fight against Ireland at the Under 19 World Cup in Windhoek, Namibia, but ultimately came up short to be eliminated in the group stage.

Winning the toss and batting first multiple players made positive starts. Nihar Parmar (24) and Hugo Tani-Kelly (20) looked good to start but Ireland chipped away to have Japan in a spot of bother at 74 for four in the 20th over.

A strong partnership of 68 between Charlie Hara-Hinze (57) and captain Kazuma Kato-Stafford (24) brought Japan back into the contest, but Ireland seized initiative again to dismiss both as Japan slipped to 162 for seven in the 40th over.

The Irish had not counted on Gabby Hara-Hinze coming in at nine and completely shifting momentum as he walloped an entertaining 44 from just 29 balls, leading a 62-run partnership with Skyler Nakayama-Cook, who made a solid 30 from 37 balls.

A total of 247 for nine at the halfway mark put Japan firmly in the contest, but knowing they would have to bowl well to earn a first ever World Cup win.

Despite a gallant effort from captain Kato-Stafford (two for 42), and support from Timothy Moore (two for 30), Ireland squeezed home six wickets down with 12 balls to spare to book their place in the Super Six and leave Japan with a token game against Tanzania to round off the World Cup experience.

The game was also notable as Charlie Hara-Hinze picked up his 35th international wicket at Under 19 level, making him the leading wicket-taker of all time for the Men’s Japan Under 19 National Team.

Match Schedule

• 10th January (Saturday) 16:30 – Japan vs Tanzania (Japan lost by 81 runs)
• 13th January (Tuesday) 16:30 – Japan vs West Indies (Japan lost by 229 runs)
• 17th January (Saturday) 16:30 – Japan vs Sri Lanka (Japan lost by 203 runs)
• 20th January (Tuesday) 16:30 – Australia vs Japan (Australia won by 8 wickets)
• 22nd January (Thursday) 16:30 – Ireland vs Japan (Ireland won by 4 wickets)
• 24th January (Saturday) 16:30 – Japan vs Tanzania

All times are Japan Standard Time. All matches are 50 Overs.

All matches will be available to watch on ICC TV and the JCA Social Media platforms will be active with plenty of content and behind the scenes clips – so be sure to follow closely!

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