“criiio cup” Continues to Inspire New Cricket Players in Japan

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The second edition of the criiio cup took place at Adachi-ku Ball Park, where five teams gathered for a lively day of fast-paced cricket and friendly competition. The event brought together a mix of new and returning players, highlighting the growing interest in the sport within the local community.

Representatives from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the ICC East Asia-Pacific Region (EAP) were also present to support the event and observe the matches as teams competed to secure their places in the finals.

The “criiio cup” format was developed by the ICC as an accessible and beginner-friendly version of cricket. Matches are played with six players, over a shorter time period, and within a compact playing space. The use of a soft rubber ball makes the format safe and approachable, particularly for first-time players and those experiencing cricket for the first time.

The tournament provided a welcoming environment for participants to learn the game, play with friends, and enjoy the spirit of cricket in a relaxed and inclusive setting.

Tournament Director, Raheel Kano, was pleased to see the growing interest in the event.

“It was fantastic to see so many new faces enjoying cricket. Events like the “criiio Cup” provide a great opportunity for participants to discover the sport in a fun and welcoming environment, and we hope to see many of them continuing to play with their friends in the future.”

With cricket set to return to the Olympic stage at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, initiatives like the criiio cup are expected to play an important role in introducing the sport to new players across Japan. By providing an accessible format and welcoming atmosphere, the tournament represents another positive step in the continued growth of cricket and the development of the next generation of players in Japan.

Japan To Host ICC Men’s T20WC EAP Sub-Regional Qualifier in Sano and Nisshin

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We are excited to announce that Japan will host the nine-team ICC Men’s T20WC EAP Sub-Regional Qualifier in May this year. 

This will be the largest international tournament the JCA has ever hosted, and the first to be spread across two prefectures with Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin City hosting groups 1 and 3 in the initial group stage and the Sano International Cricket Ground hosting Group 2. 

The tournament will feature three groups of three with the top two teams from each group progressing to the Super Six stage. We are still awaiting final confirmation from the ICC on how many teams will move forward to the next phase of qualifying, for the 2028 T20 World Cup. 

The nine participating teams are: 

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
Japan Samoa Papua New Guinea
Fiji Philippines Cook Islands
Vanuatu Indonesia South Korea

 

Chief Operations Officer at the JCA, Alan Curr said: “This is an extraordinary opportunity for Japan to show our capacity to host pathway events for the EAP Region across multiple venues. We will be stretched like no time ever before but are confident we can deliver an event that will showcase the best of the EAP as well as create excitement for cricket at the Asian Games later this year.”

The group stage schedule is as follows: 

8th May (Friday) 

  • 09:30 Philippines vs Indonesia (Sano)
  • 09:30 Fiji vs Vanuatu (Nisshin)
  • 14:00 Cook Islands vs South Korea (Nisshin)

9th May (Saturday) 

  • 09:30 Indonesia vs Samoa (Sano)
  • 09:30 Japan vs Vanuatu (Nisshin)
  • 14:00 South Korea vs Papua New Guinea (Nisshin)

10th May (Sunday) 

  • 09:30 Samoa vs Philippines (Sano)
  • 09:30 Japan vs Fiji (Nisshin)
  • 14:00 Papua New Guinea vs Cook Islands (Nisshin)

From 12th May the tournament will continue in Sano with fixtures at 09:30 and 14:00 every day until Monday 18th May, with the exception being a rest day on Friday 15th. Fixtures will be confirmed after the initial group stage is completed. 

The three teams that are eliminated in the group stage will play matches on SICG 2 on all the match days as well before the teams depart Japan on Tuesday 19th May.

Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

JCA Official Social Media

Bahrain Win Thai Open Series Amid Super Over Drama

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The Men’s Japan National Team came off second best in an extraordinary battle with higher ranked Bahrain in the Final of the Thai Open Series in Bangkok.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Bahrain made a dream start as seamer Ali Dawood struck twice in the first over of the match.

This was followed up by another two wickets in the fifth over as Dawood was replaced by left-arm spinner Abdul Majid, and things were even better for the favourites when they struck again in the eighth over to leave Japan 24 for five.

There was a rebuild of sorts for Japan from Alex Shirai-Patmore (21 off 28 balls) and Sabaorish Ravichandran (20 off 27), but when Dawood returned to double his wicket tally (four for 19), the game looked as good as done.

A late rally from Ibby Takahashi (19* off 14) and Declan Suzuki (22 off 13) lifted the team to 108 for nine, a record ninth-wicket partnership for Japan of 38 from 21 balls, ended on the last ball of the innings to gave Japan a glimmer of hope.

That glimmer became a shining light as Abdul Samad mirrored Dawood with a double strike in the first over of the Bahrain batting innings and it was the favourites who were reeling at 36 for five in the tenth over with Ibby Takahashi taking three for 10.

Sabaorish Ravichandran then turned the screw further with figures of three for 11 as Japan had Bahrain 57 for eight in the 16th over.

Dawood was not done however, now with the bat he struck back-to-back sixes in the 17th over to  spark fresh life into Bahrain, alongside Yaseer Naseer.

Dawood was eventually removed for 19 off 12 balls from the final ball of the 19th over, leaving Naseer needing 15 off the last. After dots from the first two deliveries, he muscled the third for six and faced another dot on the fourth. Back to back boundaries from the final two balls meant the scores were tied as both sides compiled 108 for nine in their 20 overs on a difficult pitch.

Nasser returned for the super over and slotted the second ball over the ropes, before Ahmer Bin Nasir hit successive boundaries from the fourth and fifth deliveries. A run out off the final ball left Japan needing 15 to lift the trophy.

Ibby Takahashi strolled out to take strike and managed to get his first ball away to the boundary, but that was as good as things got for Japan as Ali Dawood, so influential throughout the game, kept things tight enough to deny Japan, who fought hard to keep the game alive right to the last ball, but Bahrain kept their nerve to win by five runs.

The JCA would like to congratulate the team on their efforts, as well as the staff for their work behind the scenes. We would also like to thank the Cricket Association of Thailand for arranging the tournament during a busy period for them.

Finally a big thank you to everyone who supported the team along the way. They will be back in action in the spring with an announcement due shortly.

The full match schedule is as follows: 

Tournament Matches:

*Thailand is 2 hours behind Japan

**Following the first three rounds of matches there will be a third-place play off at 11:00 and a final at 15:30. 

All matches were live streamed on the Cricket Thailand Facebook page where replays can also be found.

Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

JCA Official Social Media

Japan Defeat Bhutan to Top Group

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The Men’s Japan National Team overcame a spirited Bhutan side thanks to two outstanding individual performances with bat and ball.
Ibrahim Takahashi struck an explosive half century before Declan Suzuki (playing his 50th T20 International for Japan) took five wickets, both careers bests, as Japan finished unbeaten in the group stage of the Thailand Open Series in Bangkok.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Japan showed similar intent as they had in the win over Bahrain the previous day, but the momentum was curtailed as form openner Abishek Anand was dismissed at the end of the third over for 17.
Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (34 from 29 balls) and Alex Shirai-Patmore (43 from 43) were forced to regroup after Sabaorish Ravichandran was cleaned up by Karmaa Dorji. Their partnership of 58 from 50 balls laying the platform for Takahashi to launch.
Five boundaries and four sixes later, Takahashi had his maiden T20I half century (54* from 21 balls) and the team finished 170 for six, with 71 of those coming from the 39 balls Takahashi was at the crease.
Bhutan started well in the chase, taking 17 from the first over, but Declan Suzuki struck twice in his first over and again in his second to really put the breaks on. He returned later in the innings to help wrap things up, taking two in successive balls again to finish with five for 20 from his four overs.
Abdul Samad and Kohei Kubota both collected two wickets each as Japan bowled Bhutan all out for 93 in 18.2 overs to record a comfortable 77-run win.
In the final match of the group stages played in the afternoon, Bahrain were able to defeat the hosts Thailand and secure their place in the Final on Saturday afternoon.

The full match schedule is as follows: 

Tournament Matches:

*Thailand is 2 hours behind Japan

**Following the first three rounds of matches there will be a third-place play off at 11:00 and a final at 15:30. 

All matches are live streamed on the Cricket Thailand Facebook page where replays can also be found.

Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

JCA Official Social Media

Mirait One Next becomes JCA Gold Partner

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The JCA is pleased to announce that it has entered into a three-year Gold Partner agreement with MIRAIT ONE NEXT Corporation, effective February 2026.

Under this agreement, Mirait One Next will support JCA as a “Future Creation Partner,” contributing to the continued promotion and development of cricket in Japan. In addition, the company will support the Embassy Cup, a symbolic tournament representing multicultural coexistence through sport.

Regarding the signing of the agreement, Naoki Miyaji, CEO of JCA, and Masayuki Takahashi, President and CEO of Mirait One Next, commented as follows:

Comment from Naoki Miyaji, CEO, Japan Cricket Association
“We are delighted to welcome Mirait One Next, a professional in telecommunications and social infrastructure that continually looks toward the future, as our ‘Future Creation Partner.’
Following the decision to include cricket in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, interest in the sport has been rapidly increasing in Japan. The Embassy Cup is a particularly important tournament for the JCA, as it fosters mutual understanding across cultures through sport.
With the valued support of Mirait One Next, alongside GTN, we will further enhance the value of the tournament and work together to create a richer society through cricket.”

Comment from Masayuki Takahashi, President and CEO, MIRAIT ONE NEXT Corporation
“We are pleased to announce that MIRAIT ONE NEXT Co., Ltd. will move forward together with the Japan Cricket Association as a ‘Future Creation Partner.’
As a comprehensive engineering company rooted in the local community, we are committed to opening the door to the practical implementation of the future, with the aim of building prosperous regional communities.
Through this partnership, we hope to contribute to the development of cricket and to energise the community through the power of sport.
Together with the players and members of the community, all of us at MIRAIT ONE NEXT are dedicated to supporting a future in which everyone can shine with excitement, inspiration and vitality.”

 

About MIRAIT ONE NEXT Corporation
Mirait One Next is engaged in the stable operation of essential infrastructure in modern society, including telecommunications networks, ICT foundations, and the design and construction of various electrical and communications facilities such as solar power systems.
As part of the continuously developing telecommunications industry, the company promotes high-quality and safe infrastructure development across the entire Kanto region.

・Company Name: MIRAIT ONE NEXT Corporation
・Location: MIRAIT ONE Edogawa Building 5th fl., 2-8-4 Edogawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
・President and CEO: Masayuki Takahashi
・URL: https://www.mirait-one-next.com/

Japan Beat Bahrain to Book Place in Final

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The Men’s Japan National Team recorded an emphatic win over higher ranked Bahrain to book a place in the final of the Thai Open Series with a game to spare.

After being asked to bowl first Japan made a great start as Kiefer Yamamoto-Lake (flown in at short notice as injury cover), struck in the first over.

Despite that success, it was the only over of seam delivered as the Japanese spinners took centre stage.

There were two wickets each for Ibby Takahashi, Sabaorish Ravichandran, Makoto Taniyama and Benjamin Ito-Davis, while Charlie Hara-Hinze also chipped in meaning all six bowlers tasted success, Ravichandran taking his 50th international wicket in the process.

Bahrain, ranked 29th to Japan’s 44th coming into this tournament, had no answers and were rolled over for just 87 in 19.2 overs with only opener Prashant Kurup showing any resistance with an obdurate 24 from 48 balls.

There may have been a flutter of nerves among supporters when Japan captain and talisman Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming edged behind in the second over, but Abhishek Anand and Esam Rahman certainly did not seem bothered.

Rahman was especially belligerent, taking 24 off his first nine balls, and the pair combined to hammer 21 runs off the 4th over to take Japan to 45 for one, more than halfway in the blink of an eye.

Although Rahman fell in the 5th over for 34 from only 15 balls, the damage was done with a partnership of 50 in just 20 balls.

Player of the Match Anand kept going to finish 37 not out from only 17 balls, and Hara-Hinze even got in on the six-hitting act, crashing a blow straight down the ground to bring the scores level before Japan completed the rout with a full 13 overs and eight wickets in hand.

It was a remarkable victory over the pre-tournament favourites and means Japan will play in the Saturday showpiece regardless of the result against Bhutan tomorrow.

The full match schedule is as follows: 

Tournament Matches:

  • 25th February (Wednesday) 11:00 Thailand vs Japan (Japan won by 37 runs)
  • 26th February (Thursday) 15:30 Bahrain vs Japan (Japan won by 8 wickets)
  • 27th February (Friday) 11:00 Bhutan vs Japan
  • 28th February (Saturday) TBC

*Thailand is 2 hours behind Japan

**Following the first three rounds of matches there will be a third-place play off at 11:00 and a final at 15:30. 

All matches are live streamed on the Cricket Thailand Facebook page where replays can also be found.

Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

JCA Official Social Media

Japan Defeat Thailand in Tournament Opener

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The Men’s Japan National Team made a strong start to the Thailand Men’s Open Series in Bangkok, defeating the hosts by 37 runs in the opening fixture. 

This was the first time the teams had met since Thailand emerged victorious in the final of the Japan-hosted Tri-Series in 2025, so Japan needed no extra motivation.

After being asked to bat first, Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Abhishek Anand combined for an opening stand of 68 from 53 balls.

After Anand fell for 43, the captain went on to register his 11th T20 International half century, but departed next ball to spark a collapse.

The 16th over was mayhem as Nopphon Senamontree took three in the over to turn 123 for two into 124 for five, eventually finishing with four for 25 from his four overs.

A late rally from Benjamin Ito-Davis and Charlie Hara-Hinze took Japan to 157 for six after 20 overs, a total they would be confident of defending.

That was how things worked out as the Japan bowlers suffocated the Thai batters, picking up wickets regularly with seven of the eight bowlers used chipping in.

Thailand batted out the overs to finish 120 for nine at the end, giving Japan a win by 37 runs to avenge that defeat nine months ago and give themselves a great chance of making the Saturday final.

The full match schedule is as follows: 

Tournament Matches:

  • 25th February (Wednesday) 11:00 Thailand vs Japan (Japan won by 37 runs)
  • 26th February (Thursday) 15:30 Bahrain vs Japan
  • 27th February (Friday) 11:00 Bhutan vs Japan
  • 28th February (Saturday) TBC

*Thailand is 2 hours behind Japan

**Following the first three rounds of matches there will be a third-place play off at 11:00 and a final at 15:30. 

All matches are live streamed on the Cricket Thailand Facebook page where replays can also be found.

Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

JCA Official Social Media

Men’s Touring Team Announced for Thailand Quadrangular Series

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The Men’s Japan National Team will tour Thailand next week to play against three other international teams. 

The team will be made up of 14 players and will have matches against hosts Thailand along with Bahrain and Bhutan. 

Two players, Reo Sakurano-Thomas and Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, are unavailable from the Asia/EAP Regional Final in Oman last year, while Kohei Kubota returns. 

Head Coach will be Dhugal Bedingfield, while Devon Van Onselen will combine his role as Strength and Conditioning Coach with being Team Manager. Hiromu Inoue will reprise his role as Trainer which he last carried out for the men in October 2024. 

＊Top photo
(from left): Alexander Shirai-Patmore, Makoto Taniyama, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (centre), Declan Suzuki-McComb, Charles Hara-Hinze

 

The travelling team is as follows: 

  1. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (Chiba Sharks Cricket Club) – Captain
  2. Abhishek Anand (Tokyo Falcons Cricket Club)
  3. Benjamin Gou Ito-Davis (Chiba Sharks Cricket Club)
  4. Charles Hara-Hinze (Northern Suburbs Cricket Club)
  5. Kohei Kubota (Wyverns Cricket Club)
  6. Wataru Miyauchi (Wyverns Cricket Club)
  7. Esam Rahman (ACT Comets)
  8. Sabaorish Ravichandran (Tigers Cricket Club)
  9. Abdul Samad (Tokyo Wombats Cricket Club)
  10. Alexander Shirai-Patmore (Sano Cricket Club)
  11. Shoma Sugaya-Slater (Melville Cricket Club)
  12. Declan Suzuki-McComb (Sano Cricket Club)
  13. Ibrahim Takahashi (Chiba Sharks Cricket Club)
  14. Makoto Taniyama (Sano Cricket Club)

The full match schedule is as follows: 

Tournament Matches:

  • 25th February (Wednesday) 11:00 Thailand vs Japan
  • 26th February (Thursday) 15:30 Bahrain vs Japan
  • 27th February (Friday) 11:00 Bhutan vs Japan
  • 28th February (Saturday) TBC

*Thailand is 2 hours behind Japan

**Following the first three rounds of matches there will be a third-place play off at 11:00 and a final at 15:30. 

We expect all matches to be live streamed on the Cricket Thailand YouTube page. Please check our social media accounts for confirmation. 

Good Luck Boys!

Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

JCA Official Social Media

World Cup Players Visit Mayor of Sano

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Two members of the Men’s U19 Japan National Team paid a courtesy visit to the Mayor of Sano City, Mr Yutaka Kaneko, this week following their successful trip to the Men’s Under 19 World Cup in Windhoek, Namibia.

Players Ryuki Ozeki and Chihaya Sekine – both products of the cricket programme in Sano, Head Coach Reo Sakurano, and JCA CEO Naoki Miyaji were all hosted by the Mayor on Monday, 9th February

During the meeting, they discussed the team’s results at the World Cup and shared insights into the matches and experience of the tournament. They also expressed their appreciation for the continued support from Sano City.

Japan’s first-ever victory at a Cricket World Cup was shared as a historic milestone for Japanese cricket. Mayor Kaneko offered his congratulations and words of encouragement to the players and coaching staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Through cricket, JCA will continue to contribute to international exchange in Sano City and to the development of Sano City and Tochigi Prefecture.

Registrations Open for Futures League 2026

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The fifth edition of the Futures League will see the tournament revamped and more opportunities for young cricketers to showcase their skills. 

There are several exciting new developments, listed below: 

  • The league will expand from four teams to six teams
  • The league will change from 20 overs to 40 overs
  • The league will run over two weekends in April (18,19,20 / 25,26 April)
  • The league will move from Under 23 to Under 19
  • The age cut off is a date of birth on or after 1st April 2007
  • Entry fee will increase to JPY 10,000 per person

These changes have been made to align the JCA with the new participation criteria given by the ICC for entry into the Under 19 World Cup Qualification pathway. 

The old format of the tournament will be rebranded the Futures League T20, and will run in early October, retaining the same format. The T20 tournament will primarily be for players Under 23 who are living in Japan, or did not participate in the 40-over tournament. 

The registration form can be completed here: 

https://forms.gle/Eb5ZyQEuVZhAMc2b7 

The deadline for registrations is Friday 27th February 2026.

Squads will be limited to 14 players each, but those who are not selected are encouraged to come to the ground each day for some practice and to act as potential reserves. 

As it was in 2024 & 2025, the Futures League will also act as the trials for the National Academy Under 19 Squad, so all participants must be eligible to represent Japan through nationality, place or birth or residency. 

All matches on SICG One will be live streamed and we are excited to showcase the next generation of Japanese talent.