News & Articles

Japan Knock Kuwait Out to Advance to Super Sixes

  • 2025-10-10
  • News & Articles
  • National Team (Men)

The men’s Japan National team earned a famous victory at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier in Oman, defeating World Cup hopefuls Kuwait and sending them home early.

After winning the toss and opting the bowl, Japan made a dream start as Abdul Samad struck in the first over.

The Kuwait batters worked hard and put themselves into a strong position at 89 for two after 11 overs,  before Sabaorish Ravichandran dragged things back for Japan, taking two wickets for 16 runs in the middle overs.

Declan Suzuki bowled a clinical final over, with the pressure on, finishing with three for 22 as Kuwait ended their innings with 177 for six from 20 overs.

Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming hit boundaries at will in the opening exchanges, and although Abhishek Anand departed early, Japan were 63 for one after the power play and looking good.

Kadowaki-Fleming was unfortunately run out while backing up for 28 from 19 balls after adding 51 in five overs with Esam Rahman.

Rahman, who became the 112th player to represent Japan in an official international, went to his half century with a towering six from just 33-balls. He was eventually dismissed for 64 from 39 balls and Japan still needed 71 from 8.2 overs.

Enter Ibrahim Takahashi, who hit three sixes in a blockbusting 26 from 15 balls, while Ravichandran backed up his bowling display with a calming 39 from 29 balls.

It was left to Suzuki to scoop the winning run in the final over, meaning Japan won by five wickets to send the team ranked 23 in the world home early, while Japan move into the second phase with a game to spare.

Japan play Nepal on Friday 10th at 7:30pm Japan time as they keep the World Cup dream alive.

Warm Up Matches:

Tournament Matches:

  • 9th October (Thursday) 14:30 Japan vs Kuwait (Japan won by 5 wickets) 
  • 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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