Japan U19s Show Fighting Spirit in Defeat to India
- 2024-12-03
- News & Articles
- National Team (Men U19)
Hugo Tani-Kelly put in an outstanding performance as the Men’s Japan Under 19 team showed their fighting spirit in a defeat to eight-time champions India in Sharjah.
Tani-Kelly first took two wickets for 42 runs in his eight overs, playing a key role in slowing India’s scoring after a fast start.
Promoted to open the batting, he then became the first Japanese player to register a half-century against an ICC Full Member, striking six boundaries in his 111-ball innings.
Still just fifteen years old, Tani-Kelly was the youngest in the Japan playing XI, and the future looked bright as the next youngest, Charlie Hinze, also contributed with bat and ball, taking one for 56 from his ten overs before ending the match 35 not out from 68 balls.
The Indian total of 339 for six came courtesy of a 118-ball 122 not out from captain Mohamed Amman, with two more wickets for Kiefer Yamamoto-Lake.
Determined to continue show the forward strides taken since the last time these two teams met, openers Tani-Kelly and Nihar Parmar set about putting on a 50-run opening stand to set the tone for the innings.
India ultimately won the match by 211-runs as Japan finished 128 for eight after 50 overs, but the real story was the talent displayed by Japan and the bright future ahead.
Japan will play Pakistan on Wednesday in Dubai, with Pakistan having won both their matches so far.
The fixtures are scheduled as follows:
- 30th November (Saturday) – UAE vs Japan, Sharjah (UAE won by 273 runs)
- 2nd December (Monday) – India vs Japan, Sharjah (India won by 211 runs)
- 4th December (Wednesday) – Pakistan vs Japan, Dubai
Knockout matches are scheduled as follows:
- Semi-Finals: Friday 6th December
- Final: Sunday 8th December
All matches begin at 09:00 local time / 14:00 Japan Standard Time.
All matches will be available to watch live on the Asian Cricket Council YouTube Channel and live scores can be followed on the ACC Match Centre.
Please join us in wishing the players good luck for this next challenge!
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