SINGAPORE OVERTURN JAPAN TO WIN GROUP B

The final round of qualifying matches would decide the semi-final line-up in the ACC T20 Men’s Challenger Cup at TCG in Bangkok. Group B would be completed today with Japan facing Singapore in the morning and Thailand playing Maldives in the afternoon

Japan were looking for their third win which would ensure they win the group. But Singapore knew that victory by a big enough margin would see them overtake Japan to finish top of the table. This is exactly what happened as player of the match Anish Paraam led them to a victory that took them to top of the group.

Japan have won the toss and Singapore will bat first .They had to recover from losing three wickets in the second over against Thailand and today they have lost two in the second over as Piyush Kumbhare struck with his first ball and completed a double wicket-maiden. Japan bowled five overs of spin in the powerplay as Singapore were 22 for 2 after six overs.

Left-arm spinner Piyush Kumbhare was excellent as he took two for 13 from his four overs with 18 dot balls. Anitra Dutta made 56 off 29 balls against Maldives and he hit the first six of the day. Nine overs of spin but another six as Singapore were 51 for 2 after 10.

Singapore’s recovery was complete as they reached 176 for 5 as they made 125 from the /last 10 overs. Aritra Dutta steadied the innings but Anish Paraam raced to 92 from 55 balls with 7 fours and 6 Sixes.

There had been a diet of spin and when Reo Sakurano was brought back for the 19th over he went for 29 runs and 22 more came off the 20th over and the Singapore had reached a total they could defend.

Japan had a stiff task on their hands to win the match so they might have to also be aware of the score needed to stay ahead of Singapore on net run-rate if both sides finished on four points.

Japan were 39 for one after six overs but their captain Kendal Fleming was at the crease and the fifty was up in the next-door over as Lachlan Lake hit out before he fell for 35. .Japan reached 71 for 2 after 10 overs.

Wickets began to fall in the Japan innings as the captain was run out and it became a case of whether Japan could keep their net-run rate ahead of Singapore if both teams finished level on points.

Japan were effectively chasing a total of 146 to stay in first place but they only managed 142 for 8 and lost by 34 runs so Singapore win the group and Japan are currently in second place with Thailand still able to overtake them.