Guwahati (Assam) [India], September 23 (ANI): Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia on Wednesday hailed India’s T20I match towards Japan as a big step in direction of strengthening cricketing ties between the 2 nations, calling it a “new breakthrough” in friendship between India and Japan.
India and Japan performed an exhilarating, rain-shortened five-over one-off T20I on Tuesday, with Axar Patel defending eight runs within the closing over to seal a two-run win after Japan restricted the reigning world champions to 32/4. Notably, the match was held to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between the 2 nations.
Speaking to ANI, Devajit Saikia congratulated the Indian staff and mentioned the match towards Japan was greater than a victory, marking a brand new chapter in cricketing friendship between the 2 nations. He credited ICC Chairman Jay Shah’s initiative for organising the fixture and mentioned the keenness proven by Japanese followers would assist increase cricket’s recognition in Japan and neighbouring nations.
‘I congratulate the staff, and it’s not nearly profitable towards the Japan males’s staff yesterday. It represents a brand new breakthrough in friendship between India and Japan. This was potential due to the initiative taken by ICC Chairman Jay Shah in Edinburgh, the place he directed me to take a seat with my Japanese counterpart to arrange this match in Japan as a mark of friendship between the Indian Cricket Board and the Japan Cricket Board. This imaginative and prescient lastly fructified with yesterday’s match,” he said.
“Great enthusiasm was on show, and this marks the start of a brand new period of friendship, improvement, and the spreading of cricket into new territories. I’m sure that the response and enthusiasm proven by the Japanese folks yesterday will certainly encourage the sport of cricket to achieve extra recognition in Japan in addition to its neighbouring nations,’ he added.
Coming to the match, Japan’s bowlers impressed on a sluggish Sano floor, limiting India to 32/4 in 5 overs. Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 16, whereas Japan’s Charlie Hara-Hinze claimed 2/17 and Ibrahim Takahashi took one wicket. Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a golden duck, whereas Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan additionally fell cheaply.
Chasing 33, Japan slipped to 7/2 earlier than Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Benjamin Ito-Davis steadied the innings. Washington Sundar dismissed Kadowaki-Fleming for 12 within the fourth over, leaving Japan needing eight from the ultimate six balls. Axar Patel then held his nerve to limit Japan to 30/3, sealing a slim two-run win for India. Washington completed with two wickets and was India’s standout bowler. (ANI)