Japan Slip To Defeat Against Cook Islands

The Men’s Japan National team slipped to an agonising defeat to a Thomas Parima-inspired Cook Islands in the Super Six stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in Sano.

After Japan won the toss and chose to bat, it was Cook Islands who grabbed the early initiative as only three Japanese batters made double figures in a disappointing total of 90 all out in 18.5 overs.

Always ready for a fight, the Japanese bowlers came out firing from the first over as first Abdul Samad (two for 20) and then Charlie Hara-Hinze (three for seven) both took two wickets in an over in the first and sixth overs respectively.

Cooks Islands were 21 for four at the six-over mark, 28 for six midway through the ninth, and 40 for seven after 12 at which point Japan were odds on favourites.

Thomas Parima remained however. Having opened the batting and watched his partners disappear, all pressure was on him to take Cook Islands to the target of 91, and his run-a-ball 48* was the difference between the teams as he at last found a capable partner in Oscar Taylor whose 22* was equally crucial in the three-wicket win.

The win leaves Japan third in the group at the halfway stage, while it is yet to be confirmed how many teams will progress to the next stage and what that stage will be.