Captain Mai Yanagida led the Women’s Japan National Team to an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five match series against Singapore at the Sano International Cricket Ground.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, a much-changed Japan batting order went about accumulating a score with Yanagida to the fore.
Promoted to open the batting in the absence of the rested Erika Oda, Yanagida struck five boundaries on her way to a 45-ball 48, falling just short of what would have been a second T20 International half century.
Shimako Kato was the other main contributor, making 18 from 19 deliveries in a partnership worth 37 with her captain. The lower order then scrapped to a total of 111 for six in the 20 overs.
Japan started the defence of their target well by taking two wickets in the opening exchanges, before Vinu Kumar (40 from 42) and Roshni Seth (34 off 50) put together a partnership to frustrate the Japanese bowlers in the hunt for wickets.
The partnership of 73 from 78 balls kept Singapore afloat but Japan’s strong start meant that 22 were needed from the final over leading to both the set batters being run out while Kato also trapped the captain Shafina Mahesh LBW during an eventful finale.
Singapore ended 94 for five meaning a win by 17 runs and the series wrapped up with two matches to go.
The teams will return on Saturday for another 10 am start in the fourth match of the series.
Highlights of the match can be viewed here.
Match Schedule (Japan Standard Time)
- 1st October (Tuesday) 14:00 – Match 1 (Japan won by 9 wickets)
- 2nd October (Wednesday) 14:00 – Match 2 (Japan won by 9 wickets)
- 4th October (Friday) 10:00 – Match 3 (Japan won by 17 runs)
- 5th October (Saturday) 10:00 – Match 4
- 6th October (Sunday) 10:00 – Match 5
All matches can be watched live on https://www.youtube.com/@japan_cricket and entry to the SICG is free.
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