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February 4, 2024
SAUDI ARABIA FINISH TOP OF GROUP A WITH IMPRESSIVE VICTORY OVER INDONESIA
February 5, 2024

Maldives played Japan in the second match of the day in Group B. Japan were looking for their second win of the tournament but a Maldives victory would leave all four teams on two points. Japan have won the toss and elected to bat first and they made enough runs to allow their spinners to dismiss Maldives to claim victory by 42 runs.

Japan were gifted five runs from the first ball of their innings thanks to four overthrows. Lachlan Lake hit two fours and a six in one over but both openers were gone and Japan were 36 for 2 after the powerplay.

Kendal Fleming, captain of Japan, came to the crease and was looking to add to his innings of 74 against Thailand but it wasn’t to be as he was lbw to Nazwan Ismail for 16. Four wickets were down for 63 as Alex Padmore was bowled.

Japan would have to rebuild and they were 73 for 4 after 10 overs. Saboarish Ravichandran and Declan Suzuki did a great job of consolidating the innings with a fifty partnership for the fifth wicket. The lower order also contributed as Japan reached 150 for 8 from the last ball of their innings.

As the Maldives innings began Ibrahim Shaof was out early as Reo Sakurano took another wicket but Adam Nasif was leading a counter attack as he hit 5 fours and a six in the first five overs. Yoosuf Azyan hit a four but was brilliantly caught on the last ball of the powerplay as Maldives reached 46 for 2 in six overs.

Maldives had started their chase well but the 10th over was crucial as Rodrigo was run out and after the drinks break Adam Nasif was dismissed for 40 from 26 balls.

Maldives collapsed from 65 for 2 to 108 all out and it was a delight to watch two contrasting Japanese leg-spinners share five wickets in the second half of the innings. Makoto Taniyamna claimed 3 for 12 while player of the match Ravichandran added two wickets to his top score of 26.

His partnership of 52 with Suzuki had given Japan a total to defend. Maldives were bowled out for 108 and Japan won by 42 runs. With two wins Japan are top of the table in Group B and on the brink of the semi-finals in their first ACC tournament.