Tsukuba Cricket Club had a miraculous run to earn their first Japan Cup title, making amends for their defeat in the 2022 Final. 

The 70-team tournament began on the final weekend of March and, more than 250 matches later, ended on Sunday 20th October. 

Tsukuba lived on the edge throughout their campaign. They finished fourth in the East Kanto region, but defeated top of the table Falcons to reach the regional final and qualify for the national finals, before defeating the Tuskers to claim the East Kanto title. 

In the national finals they eased through their first round match, but required a super over to knock out the defending champions Tigers Cricket Club, who had defeated them in that 2022 final.

In the semi final against Kobe Hawks they looked out of hope before taking the last six wickets for just nine runs to win the game. 

An ability to fight to the very last served them well as they came up against first time finalists Serendib Leos in the national final. The Leos set Tsukuba a target of 107 and in a match that swayed one way and then the other throughout, they eventually got home off the final ball of the match with just one wicket to spare. 

The Nagoya Bengal Tigers finished in 5th place, winning the Shield Final, while Sano Cricket Club won the Plate Final, earning them a 9th place finish. 

Final Standings

• Japan Cup champions: Tsukuba
• Japan Cup runners up: Serendib Leos
• 3rd place: Kawasaki Knight Riders
• 4th place: Kobe Hawks
• Shield winners (5th): Nagoya Bengal Tigers
• 6th place: Tigers
• 7th place: Tuskers
• 8th place: Osaka Lions
• Plate winners (9th): Sano
• 10th place: Sultans of Japan
• 11th place: Royal Osaka Tigers
• 12th place: Tsukuba Leopards

Award Winners

• Japan Cup Finals MVP: Hashan Muditha (Serendib Leos)
• Japan Cup Finals Best Batter: Makoto Taniyama (Sano)
• Japan Cup Finals Best Bowler: Shehan Madusanka (Serendib Leos)