Japan take on Samoa in Match 6 of ICC T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier 2025
Japan and Samoa both won one matches in the group stage
Namibia and Zimbabwe have qualified from the Africa Qualifiers
After an impressive group stage, Japan took on Samoa in a crucial Super 6 encounter ICC T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier 2025 at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground.
The Japanese team displayed a magnificent all-round performance to beat Samoa by a narrow 4-run margin in a high-intensity clash. Batting first, Japan posted a competitive total of 162 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs, with crucial contributions from the openers and middle order batters that helped set a challenging target for Samoa. Abhishek Anand shone with the bat scoring 55 runs.
Darius Visser did the work with the ball for Samoa, picking up three crucial wickets in 4 overs. Benjamin Mailata managed to take just one wicket but didn't let the batters score runs, conceding only 27 runs in 4 overs.
Chasing the target, Samoa started great with openers Darius Visser and Sean Solia building a 66-run stand for the first wicket. However, they started losing wickets in the middle overs. But Saumani Tiai tried his best in the 18th over, scoring 26 runs and taking the game away from the Japanese team.
But somehow, Japan held their nerves and conceded only 11 runs in the last two overs, winning the match by a mere margin of 4 runs. Ibrahim Takahashi was named Player of the match for his 30-run knock and a wicket.
Japan Vs Samoa, ICC T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier 2025: Highlights
Japan Vs Samoa, ICC T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier 2025: Toss Update
Samoa won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Japan Vs Samoa, ICC T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier 2025: Playing XI
Japan (Playing XI): Kendel Fleming(c), Abhishek Anand, Eesam Rahman, Sabaorish Ravichandran, Benjamin Ito Davis, Charles Hinze, Ibrahim Takahashi, Reo Sakurano Thomas, Declan Suzuki, Alexander Patmore(w), Shoma Slater
Samoa (Playing XI): Darius Visser, Sean Solia, Samuel French(w), Benjamin Mailata, Ross Taylor, Fereti Sululoto, Caleb Jasmat(c), Saumani Tiai, Solomon Nash, Samson Sola, Kurtis Hynam-Nyberg
Japan Vs Samoa, ICC T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier 2025: Squads
Samoa Squad: Darius Visser, Sean Solia, Benjamin Mailata, Ross Taylor, Saumani Tiai, Caleb Jasmat(c), Fereti Sululoto, Samuel French(w), Solomon Nash, Ili Tugaga, Daniel Burgess, Kurtis Hynam-Nyberg, Noah Mead, Douglas Finau, Samson Sola
Japan Squad: Kendel Fleming(c), Abhishek Anand, Eesam Rahman, Ibrahim Takahashi, Sabaorish Ravichandran, Benjamin Ito Davis, Declan Suzuki, Reo Sakurano Thomas, Charles Hinze, Alexander Patmore(w), Shoma Slater, Abdul Samad, Lachlan Lake, Makoto Taniyama, Wataru Miyauchi
