The Women’s Japan National Team opened their ACC Premier Cup campaign in fine style as Ayaka Kato-Stafford inspired the team to a 116-run win over Mongolia.
Winning the toss and batting first, coach Haruna Iwasaki began in typically aggressive style by striking her fourth ball over midwicket for six.
She and opening partner Erika Oda were both removed before they could reach 20, but captain Mai Yanagida then combined with 16-year-old Kato-Stafford in a match defining partnership of 98 from 61 balls.
Yanagida fell for 28 off 30, run out shortly after Kato-Stafford brought up her maiden international half century from just 36 balls.
She was not done however, and led the charge for the remainder of the innings, striking ten boundaries on her way to a T20 International record score for Japan of 84 off 56 balls, bowled in the final over as Japan finished 188 for four from their 20 overs.
Chasing such a score was a tall order for a Mongolia side trying to bounce-back from a heavy defeat to Thailand the day before, and when Nonoha Yasumoto struck in the first opener it became even harder.
Mamta Kaswan, in just her second appearance for Japan, picked up three for 12 as the chase petered out to a finish of 72 for eight, Kato-Stafford having time to grab a wicket of her own to complete an excellent day for both herself and Japan.
The team will next play against Myanmar - the first time the two nations have ever played each other at any level - on Saturday 6th June at 3pm JST.
